In 1980 Salem's Wastewater Engineering Consultant, Underwood Engineers, completed an evaluation of the wastewater collection and treatment system and developed a 201 Facilities Master Plan (aka Sewer Master Plan). Since that plan was developed in the 1980s, Salem abandoned the wastewater treatment facility and entered into an inter-municipal agreement with the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District (GLSD) for treatment and disposal of the Town's wastewater. The wastewater collection system changes over time as existing infrastructure ages and the Town continues to grow and develop. In 2017 Underwood Engineers performed another evaluation of the wastewater collection system and prepared an updated Sewer Master Plan. The updated plan incorporates capital improvement projects that have been completed since the original 1980 plan, as well as examines immediate, mid-term, and long-term needs of the current assets. The following objectives are included in the updated plan:
- Overview of the existing system
- Evaluate the existing system capacity under dry weather and peak wet weather conditions
- Evaluate Infiltration and Inflow (I/I) in the system and the ability to reclaim capacity through I/I reduction
- Evaluate infrastructure needs at pumping stations
- Identify sewer planning and buildout areas
- Evaluate current and future infrastructure needs
- Identify a Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
- Identify next steps