Swampscott Looks For Light At End Of King's Beach Pollution Tunnel

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A plan to use an ultraviolet light disinfection system to help clean up King's Beach in Swampscott and Lynn appears to be gaining momentum within a regional task force charged with finding a fix for what Swampscott Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald called: "The worst beach in the Commonwealth."

Fitzgerald, who is part of the task force, said the UV light approach is favored by many on the regional steering committee because of its relatively quick implementation process compared to a proposed 4,500-foot pipe extension that would dilute the bacteria-filled stormwater runoff from Stacey's Brook and the surrounding areas.

"There are some really fascinating technologies but we have short-listed a few of these design considerations as we are eager to take advantage of a very attractive climate for state and federal funding," Fitzgerald told the Swampscott Select Board at its last meeting.

Fitzgerald said he hopes to bring the full proposal to the Select Board for a discussion and possible vote of endorsement at its next meeting.

The ultraviolet disinfection system is similar to the one used in Newport, Rhode Island where it is capable of treating up to five million gallons of water per day.

(Also on Patch: Renewed Hope For Swampscott King's Beach Cleanup 'Success Story')

Fitzgerald said he is still in favor of a dual-track plan that includes the extended pipe out of concerns that — while effective on the bacteria — the UV system may not treat all potential harmful contaminants from stormwater runoff into the shore.

"It's an option that I originally didn't want to consider alone," he added. "I encouraged the stakeholder group to go down and visit the site in Newport, Rhode Island. I still feel like a pipe that would extend farther out into the ocean would dilute the impact of anything that might wind up on that resource area."

The advantage of that UV system is that, with proper funding, Fitzgerald said it could be implemented within 36 months, compared to six to eight years to permit and build the pipe extension.

"I am not as pessimistic about that (pipe) timeline because when you have the worst beach in the Commonwealth it should rise to a priority," he said. "I don't accept that anybody could sit on their hands for another eight years and have a region like this suffer through a public health threat like that.

"It is just unacceptable."

Fitzgerald said he was not looking to rush a decision, but noted time may be of the essence given the statewide general election is on Nov. 8.

"I would only say that the more time we take the less of an opportunity that we're going to have to work with a Swampscott resident (Gov. Charlie Baker) who is serving right now in an important position," Fitzgerald said.

Select Board member David Grishman, who is also a member of the steering group, said he also wants to continue to explore the dual solution.

"This is something that has been a problem for decades and I do believe we want to make sure that we get this right," Grishman said. "And that we're not just trying to move quickly. We are trying to work diligently and conduct proper due diligence on what's going to be an enormous remedy to a horrible problem that has plagued King's Beach for decades."

Fitzgerald said the "phased" approach the steering committee has preferred would prioritize a "phase one" of the UV disinfection system with "phase two" being the continued pursuit of a potential outfall pipe extension.

"I am concerned that we're going to put a system in," Fitzgerald said. "We're going to spend $30 million. And something's gonna wash up on that beach that is not going to be remediated by ultraviolet light that is going to cause people concern.

"I would rather not have that problem."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)