New 55+ housing development poses concern for aging sewer infrastructure

A new housing development on Dartmouth Street will add 89 units for residents aged 55 and older to town. However, large developments like this have continued to present problems for the aging sewage treatment plant and accompanying infrastructure.

The 696 Dartmouth Street development, known as the “Delano Apartments,” is owned by the Bridgewater-based real estate company, Claremont Companies, which is no stranger to multi-unit housing in South Dartmouth. In 2019, the company’s third development was constructed in town — the Amelia Apartments are a similarly independent 55+ living facility about a quarter mile from the new location.

Notably nearby is a Dollar General Store, a Planet Fitness, Pickleball & More and the Southworth Library. The building will be three stories and L-shaped. Parking will be underneath and outside, providing 208 spaces. Additionally, outside there will be accessible walking paths and landscaped islands to add greenery.

Dartmouth has been historically dominated by single-family homes. According to the town’s masterplan, these homes made up almost 83% of the housing stock in 2000 and have seen a small increase annually. However, a desire for more diverse housing options has been identified in the plan and the new apartments are just one of the higher-density projects that are in the process of development. 

Many see over-55 housing as an opportunity for older folks to downsize to something more affordable, allowing young families more opportunities for single-family homes in town and providing some relief to the state’s housing crisis.

At the Nov. 24 Planning Board meeting, project attorney John Markey said he was excited to be a part of bringing in something that’s “going to make the community better.”

“It’s been a stated need by this board, by the Select Board and by the community more broadly for affordable housing and for over-55 housing and so this is a chance to address that need,” Markey added. 

Construction of the new Delano Apartments is already underway and anticipated for completion in the fall of 2026. However, the fate of the project’s sewer remains uncertain. 

According to Public Works Director Tim Barber, the town’s aging infrastructure was not designed to take in such large flow in terms of both sewer and water. 

The wastewater treatment facility, which is over 30 years old, has a maximum capacity of 4.2 million gallons per day. Barber says while work is underway to determine the system’s current inflow and infiltration in areas of town, a project like this “could possibly put us over the limit.”

A design for a wastewater treatment facility upgrade is now complete and part of the construction costs were previously funded, but with inflation, construction costs have gone up “exponentially.” Barber said the department is seeking grants and other funding opportunities to bridge the gap before advertising the bid. 

“Until those upgrades are complete, it makes it concerning,” he said. “The upgrades would considerably help the capacity at the plant and that will allow us to treat more efficiently” and allow more sewer connections with these developments.

Barber said the department is awaiting the final report from the developer’s consultant who is evaluating the collection system that flows into the Dartmouth facility. If it is determined the system cannot handle the additional flow, the developers will have to evaluate the possibility of sending it to New Bedford’s treatment facility.

Claremont Companies has not yet responded to requests for comment.

But the Delano Apartments are not the only multi-unit development the Public Works Department needs to consider. He highlighted the proposed affordable housing projects Sherbrooke Farms, which plans for 156 units, and the former Hawthorne Country Club, which plans for 147 units.

All three projects are up for discussion at the Public Works Board Thursday, April 24.