Burlington DPW drafts FY27 goals focusing on WWTP upgrades and water treatment capital assessment

Burlington DPW drafts FY27 goals focusing on WWTP upgrades and water treatment capital assessmentThe Burlington Public Works Commission reviewed the Director's draft FY27 goals, which outline key water and wastewater infrastructure projects aimed at boosting climate resilience and supporting local housing development.

Director Chapin Spencer's FY27 goals include initiating construction and securing grants for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, as well as planning Phase 2 funding.

The department plans to launch a long-term capital reinvestment assessment for the city's water treatment plant to ensure the future resilience of the potable water supply.

Water, wastewater, and stormwater upgrades are targeted to support housing development, specifically noting South End wastewater collection improvements.

The department aims to implement an expanded Water Resources affordability program and resolve outstanding PILOT and franchise fee policy issues.

Burlington Director of Public Works Chapin Spencer presented his draft FY27 goals to the Public Works Commission on June 17, 2026, outlining a series of major water and wastewater infrastructure initiatives aimed at supporting housing development and ensuring system resilience. According to the draft goals document, the department is preparing to launch an assessment of the city's water treatment plant to identify needed long-term capital reinvestments for the future of the potable water supply. On the wastewater side, the goals prioritize managing wastewater treatment plant upgrades, which includes securing grants, initiating construction, and planning for Phase 2 funding. The strategic alignment of water infrastructure with city growth was a focal point of the presentation. The goals specifically target the design and funding of water, wastewater, and stormwater upgrades to unleash housing development. This includes planned wastewater collection improvements in the South End to support the SECORD development, as well as infrastructure upgrades on Cherry Street to support adjacent development. During the meeting, Commissioner Hays emphasized the critical link between these utility upgrades and city growth, urging the department to look for ways to expedite housing infrastructure. "I don't think that we're doing enough, and I don't know that we're doing it fast enough when it comes to building the housing that we need," Hays noted, pointing to the utility upgrade objectives as key levers for the city. In addition to capital projects, the FY27 goals outline administrative and financial targets for the Water Resources division, including the implementation of an expanded affordability program and the resolution of outstanding Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) and franchise fee policy issues.