Drinking Water

The Town of Barnstable Water Supply Division proudly operates the Hyannis Water System (HWS), providing Hyannis residents and businesses with a safe, reliable, and sustainable supply of clean water for drinking, everyday use, and fire protection. HWS aims to deliver a reliable public water supply that meets the highest standards for health, safety, and quality.

The Hyannis Water System includes two state-of-the-art treatment facilities, 12 well pumping stations, two water storage tanks, and nearly 100 miles of distribution piping. Together, this network serves more than 7,000 Hyannis homes and businesses and delivers over 900 million gallons of water annually.

Visit: Town of Barnstable Water Supply Division

Current Projects

Straightway Water Treatment Facility

The Town of Barnstable Department of Public Works, Hyannis Water System, and its consultant, Kleinfelder, have actively been working to design improvements to the Straightway Water Treatment Facility located at 228 Straightway, Hyannis. This site is a critical component to the Hyannis Water System, located on approximately 48 acres of protected water supply land.

The current project aims to:

  • Maximize the permitted capacity of the Hyannis Water System
  • Increase the amount of water that the well can supply
  • Allow the water treatment facility to be operated year-round
  • Improve the water treatment process to further improve water quality
  • Protect the wells and buildings from flooding
  • Improve overall system resiliency

Construction of the new Straightway Water Treatment Facility will begin in Fall 2025 and is anticipated to take three years to complete. A series of public infomational meetings and outreach efforts have taken place throughout the project’s design. To review prior meeting recordings, supportive presentation materials, and copies of outreach mailers, please visit the Town of Barnstable wesbite: https://bit.ly/StraightwayWaterTreatmentPlant 

Para receber informações em português, por favor visite: https://townofbarnstable.us/Departments/watersupply/Straightway-Water-Treatment-Plant.asp

Para recibir información en español, por favor visite: https://townofbarnstable.us/Departments/watersupply/Straightway-Water-Treatment-Plant.asp 

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Hyannis Water System Water Treatment Facilities Map

Straightway WTF Existing Conditions

Straightway WTF Project Improvements

New Straightway WTF

Project Details

Project Goals

The Straightway Water Treatment Facility Project aims to:

  • Maximize the permitted capacity of the Hyannis Water System
  • Increase the amount of water that the well can supply
  • Allow the water treatment facility to be operated year-round
  • Improve the water treatment process to further improve water quality
  • Protect the wells and buildings from flooding
  • Improve overall system resiliency

Summary of Project Mitigation Measures

Environmental:
✓ Infrastructure siting to minimize environmental impacts.
✓ Stormwater management to meet or exceed MassDEP Standards.
✓ Tree clearing time of year restrictions to protect species, per Fish & Wildlife
recommendation
✓ Wetlands protection review (NOI) by Barnstable Conservation Commission
✓ Restoration with native vegetation at existing structures to be demolished at
Hyannisport site.

Electrification and Energy Efficiency:
✓ Efficient building envelopes
✓ Electric space heating and cooling (efficiency better than code)
✓ High efficiency process equipment
✓ Energy efficient LED lighting
✓ Solar photovoltaic array

Project Need & Benefits

Below is a summary of needs and challenges with corresponding solutions:

Need or Challenge Solution
The facility cannot be used year-round because PFAS filters are unwinterized. ✓ Build enclosure over PFAS filters.
2 of the 4 wells (Simmons Pond & Hyannisport) are not supplying enough water. ✓ Replace the wells with new wells to maximize the permitted capacity.
Simmons Pond & Hyannisport Wells and Hyannisport Water Treatment Facility are located within areas prone to flooding. ✓ Locate the new wells at higher elevation out of the floodplain. Relocate all treatment to the Straightway site which is at a higher elevation.
Naturally occurring iron and manganese are clogging the PFAS filters, making them more expensive to operate ✓ Add pre-filters to remove iron & manganese
1,4 –dioxane levels are close to the MA guideline of 0.3 mg/L ✓ Add new treatment technology to remove 1,4-dioxane
Treatment and pumping is undersized. ✓ Add more treatment and pumping capability to maximize
the permitted capacity.

To download a copy of the project briefing slide deck presented during public informational meetings, please click here: https://barnstablewaterresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Straightway-Water-Treatment-Plant-MEPA-Consultation-Session-Public-Meeting-Slides-10-03-2024.pdf

Current Status & Milestones

Key efforts completed:

  • Environmental Notification Form / Environmental Impact Report
    Public comment period was open from September 11, 2024 through October 11, 2024.
  • Final Design and Permit Approvals
    Completed in late Winter 2024.
  • Bidding and Contract Award
    Bid opportunity closed in Summer 2025. Construction contract awarded to Daniel O’Connell’s Sons (DOC).
  • Construction
    DOC has scheduled mobilization to the project site for Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Pre-construction activities will include installation of erosion controls, tree clearing, and temporary fence installation. While work will occur off-road, increased construction vehicle traffic within the area of Straightway should be expected. The project is anticipated to take three years to complete. Estimated completion is Spring 2028. 

 

Project Materials & Resources

A series of public informational meetings and outreach efforts have taken place throughout the project’s design. To review prior meeting recordings, supportive presentation materials, and copies of outreach mailers, please visit: https://bit.ly/StraightwayWaterTreatmentPlant

The above link inludes materials in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. 

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