ROCHESTER — Water Commissioner Frederick  Underhill presented his concerns about water usage for the proposed Rochester Crossing development, but town selectmen were able to reassure him.

Steen Realty and Development Corp., the developer for the project, always explained that the water for the proposed 208-unit housing development, which was approved at Town Meeting, would come from Wareham. 

However, Underhill stated at the June 17 meeting that he has not received a request for water, and neither has Wareham. In the materials that Underhill found from the developer and the state the proposed water usage was 45,545 gallons per day. However, under the terms of Rochester’s agreement with Wareham they are only allowed to take at most 50,000 gallons per day, which would put them slightly over the limit with what the town currently uses. 

Underhill also said that he found materials saying that the actual water usage for the development would likely be 22,859 gallons per day, but he did not see any explanation for the discrepancy.

Though Rochester’s agreement with Wareham stretches to 2037, he was also concerned that Wareham has the option to not renew the contract every fiscal year, and might cut Rochester off. 

“Wareham feels they have water to spare, but things change over time, especially with [Department of Environmental Protection] regulations,” Underhill continued. “The earlier we get together to address expanding the contract, the better.” 

Chair of the Board of Selectmen, Paul Ciaburri, asked if the only other option if Wareham ended the contract would be to have wells.

Selectman Brad Morse was able to address Ciaburri’s concerns, and many of Underhill’s concerns. He replied that under the terms of their contract the development has to use municipal water. 

He also replied that the around 45,000 gallons per day figure represents the state requirement for this type of project. However, Steen’s experience with other similar-sized developments shows that they will likely use about half of that amount. 

Morse said that he has a meeting with Wareham water officials on June 18, and will bring Underhill’s concerns up with them at the meeting.