Kingston Water Board Approves 8-Inch Main for 32-Unit 40B Development

Water · Meeting of July 7, 2026

Kingston water board approves smaller water main for affordable housing project, flags meter procurement gap. The Board of Water Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to allow civil engineer Bob Rego of Riverhawk Environmental to install an 8-inch water main — rather than the previously considered 12-inch line — serving a 32-unit 40B development off Wapping Road, after a May hydrant flow test confirmed adequate supply and the town's water consultant, identified only as Kristen, said the analysis was sound and that an oversized main would risk water quality by sitting stagnant. The board also learned that a formal request for proposals is required before the town's water meter replacement program can advance, with town counsel citing Massachusetts procurement law; a commissioner warned that the consent order with the state sets a June 30, 2027 deadline for large-meter replacement, saying "there's no closure to this" and pressing for a draft RFP before the July 28 meeting.

The board also confirmed it is in compliance with the state's Level 2 drought declaration under its existing one-day-per-week outdoor watering restriction, and agreed to seek use of highway department message boards to communicate that restriction to residents.

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Source: the Water meeting of July 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.