Millville Elementary Water Fix Begins: Permit Approved, Work Underway

July 14, 2025

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After months of anxious waiting and years of frustration, Millville residents finally have some good news about the water at Millville Elementary School.

At Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, officials confirmed that several key pieces are now in place to begin resolving the school’s long-standing water issues—starting this week.

Millville Elementary water update - Board of Selectman meeting on July 14, 2025 — Board of Selectman meeting on July 14, 2025

Big Milestones Reached

1. Grant funds unlocked:
Town Administrator Peter Caruso announced that all required contracts are now finalized, which means Millville can officially begin using its $1 million grant for the project. That includes submitting expenses for reimbursement and moving forward with installation.

2. Permit approved for pilot system:
The town also received its official permit from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), authorizing a one-year pilot program to test new water treatment methods on-site at Millville Elementary.

Read the full permit here.

3. Installation starts tomorrow:
Contractor McClure Engineering is scheduled to begin installation on Tuesday, July 15, kicking off the test system that could finally resolve the school’s decades-long water issues.

Why This Matters for the Upcoming School Year

This isn’t just about making progress—it’s about meeting a specific requirement set by the School Committee earlier this year. Back in June, the Committee passed a motion stating:

“Motion for students to return to MES for the 2025–2026 school year, contingent upon the successful installation and operation of the new water treatment system by August 1, 2025.”

That motion came after a passionate public debate and reflected deep concerns about student safety and water quality. With the permit now approved and installation beginning, town officials say the project is finally on track to meet that deadline.

What the Pilot Program Actually Does

Rather than rushing into a full-scale overhaul, the DEP-approved permit allows the town to test a new treatment system in real-world conditions at the school—while keeping strict safety protocols in place.

The goal is to see if the pilot system can improve wastewater quality before it’s discharged into the ground, while protecting public health and the local environment. While the specific treatment process (such as types of filters or disinfection methods) is not detailed in the public permit, MassDEP reviewed those technical plans as part of the town’s permit application before giving approval.

Here’s what the permit does confirm:

Routine testing is required. The town must sample and test both incoming and outgoing wastewater. Testing is weekly for the first month, then monthly. Required parameters include pH, PFAS6, Disinfection Byproducts, Bacteria, Secondary Contaminants and Total Organic Carbon.
The system can be paused or adjusted if problems arise. If test results show the system isn’t working properly or is causing environmental harm, the town must take corrective action—and may be required to stop the pilot.
It’s a one-year program. The permit is valid for one year from the start date. Once the pilot ends, the town and DEP will use the data collected to decide what comes next—whether that’s scaling up the system, making changes, or pursuing a different solution.

This measured approach gives the town a chance to test the system’s performance before committing to a long-term investment—while maintaining public safety as the top priority.

Officials Reflect on the Progress

“This satisfies all the requirements in the motion set forth by the School Committee in June,” said Selectman Jennifer Gill. “I appreciate the School Committee revisiting that vote and giving us this opportunity. I greatly appreciate Daniel Keefe and his support and collaboration that he has provided to Millville’s efforts in fixing this situation. Finally, thanks to my fellow board members for their support.”

The School Committee had voted earlier this year to delay reopening Millville Elementary until firm progress was made. Their stance sparked heated debate and emotional public comment, but it also lit a fire under town leadership to secure the needed permits and funding.

Some Light Banter—and a Serious Undertone

During the meeting, Selectman Joe Baker II commented that the town had now “met the requirement of the pain of the butt school board,” referring to the School Committee’s firm stance on requiring progress— and holding the town accountable— before allowing the school to reopen.

The comment quickly made its way onto a Facebook community group, where local resident Tara Dean Larkin responded in real time “Seriously, let’s be professional here Selectman Baker! The ‘pain in the butt school board’ has a job to do!”

School Committee Chair Dan Keefe replied in the comment thread, saying “Well, I will take that as a compliment. Because after 30 years of wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars on a failed water system—our ‘pain in the butt school board’ is the only elected body to hold their feet to the fire and force them to fix it once and for all. Make no mistake, if it wasn’t for this School Committee’s actions the water issue would have never been resolved!”

While the tone may have gotten a little colorful, the bigger picture is this: people care deeply about the future of Millville Elementary School—and now, the pieces are finally falling into place.

Parents Watching Closely

In the weeks leading up to this meeting, parents and community members have been eagerly watching for any update that might signal progress. With the School Committee’s conditions now satisfied and physical work about to begin, there’s finally reason to be hopeful.

This moment marks a major turning point. The system being installed is part of a one-year pilot program designed to test better treatment methods. All test results will be monitored and reported to MassDEP and town officials, with the goal of making a long-term fix based on real data and performance.

What’s Next?

The next big update is expected at the School Committee meeting on Monday, July 21, 2025. That meeting will likely include a status check and an opportunity for public comment.

In the meantime, installation work is moving forward, and for the first time in a long while, it seems like Millville Elementary School may be on a path to clean, reliable water—and possibly a reopening.