Public Works discusses ways to ease town water issues

Dartmouth has been relying heavily on New Bedford for its water supply for years, raising water rates for residents and buying millions of dollars of water in fiscal year 25. Now, the Board of Public Works is working on ways to become more self-sufficient. 

Due to a $100,000 deficit, monthly water rates increased by 13% in December of 2025 . This is due to the fact that the town bought $2.2 million of water from New Bedford, which was over the budget of $1.4 million. 

Dartmouth  is partially reliant on New Bedford because two of the town’s wells are temporarily out of commission. 

The board is considering extending a water main extension to buy water from Fall River. This would be a long term project, needing approval from departments in the towns of Dartmouth and Westport as well as the city of Fall River. 

“Water is probably our most important resource to humans,” said Director of Public Works Tim Barber., “I think having that supplemental connection and alternative to be able to source from different locations is the ultimate in redundancy.”

This project, if approved, would extend the water main from Fall River to Westport to the border of Dartmouth. Extending the main would cost $5 million. This would not include any interconnections or crossing the culvert. 

If approved by the city and towns, Barber said he would hope  to apply for funding aid and negotiate with Westport and Fall River if the project is approved.. 

During their monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19, Board of Public Works members  mentioned potential for a future source study and possibly extending a water main to Fall River, which may sell water to Dartmouth at a cheaper price than New Bedford’s.

The source study would examine areas in Dartmouth to potentially build wells and would cost an estimated $100,000 through engineering company AECOM. 

This study would consist of compiling historical data and recommending new source locations. Chair Robert Almy suggested they look into the area around Paskamansett and Tucker Road, but Barber pointed out this area has restrictions and may not be ideal. 

AECOM has yet to turn in a budget proposal, so the Board of Public Works can’t approve the study yet.