The cost of Bow’s $4 million water project could triple without Concord’s approval

Bow is racing against the clock to secure Concord’s cooperation on a $4 million water infrastructure project. Without it, the town would risk losing $1.5 million in state funding and face a bill three times higher than the project’s current cost.

For years, businesses in the Bow Junction area, including Grappone Auto Group, have struggled with groundwater contamination from Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive that leaches into water supplies from leaking underground fuel tanks. 

Now, town officials have a plan to bring clean water to the commercial hub, but it hinges on Concord’s willingness to extend its water mains across municipal lines.

David Stack, the town manager, said that without Concord’s cooperation, the project — currently estimated at $4 million — could balloon to $12 million or more.

“The grant would go away, and we wouldn’t do the project if we never got a ‘yes’ from Concord,” said Stack. “It would be very expensive.”

At town meeting in March, residents will vote on a warrant article to accept the grant and move forward with the project. 

But even if voters approve the warrant article, if Concord doesn’t give Bow the green light by spring, the funding could go away, forcing the town to rethink its approach.

Chris Nicolopoulos, a member of Bow’s select board, explained that the $1.5 million grant from the Department of Environmental Services comes with conditions: Bow has to pursue the “most economical solution,” which would involve creating a water loop connecting Concord’s system to Hall Street.

Bow is asking Concord to help supply between 25,000 and 60,000 gallons of clean water per day to the Bow Junction area.

This is not the first time Bow has asked Concord to extend its water mains. This conversation has gone on for over three decades, and Concord has repeatedly declined Bow’s requests.

Kip McDaniel, chair of the select board, said the town’s only alternative would be to extend Bow’s water system along Route 3A, a move that would come with a hefty price tag.

“We identified some funding that is very advantageous for Bow,” he said.  “We just want to be ready to help the business in Bow Junction and engage with Concord to move water. There is no downside to getting this set up.”

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