Littleton Sewer System Expansion Project
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Construction Updates
Updated December 9th, 2025
Littleton Common Sewer Expansion and Water Main Replacement
The sewer collection system – the sewer infrastructure in the roads and the sewer pump stations at the Middle School and High School – is substantially completed. Crews will be finishing punch-list items and working in manholes in the fall of 2025. The remaining sections of road to be paved on the sewer route will be surfaced the last week of October. Crews will also be placing loam where needed along the new pavement.
At the treatment plant, start-up of the equipment is beginning in what will be a lengthy commissioning effort anticipated to take three months.
At Littleton High School, the project calls for decommissioning the existing sewer treatment plant. This work will be done when school is not in session, but the exact dates are to be determined.
In the past two years, construction crews have installed a collection system that runs from about 221 Great Road and King Street at the Westford line for about seven miles to the discharge site near Littleton High School. Along the way, the system runs through a new Water Resource Recovery Facility where the effluent will be treated.
We appreciate the community’s support for this important project which will benefit the local economy and the environment. We also appreciate everyone’s patience with the noise and road conditions.
Discharge Site
The sewer discharge site, adjacent to Littleton High School, is already completed. Engineers are analyzing test data on the site’s capacity. If possible, LELWD plans to seek state approval to increase the permitted discharge capacity at the site.
Take Precautions
- Please drive carefully in the work zones. The work will result in temporarily uneven surfaces and plates on the roadway during daytime hours. Trenches will be paved weekly once work is completed in an area. Heavy equipment may be parked near the road in the daytime.
- Properties located along the construction route will be notified directly by LELWD if nearby activity will impact them. Overnight noise and the potential for disruption to water service is possible.
Completed Work
- New sewer and water mains have been installed from the Common, down Great Road, to the end of the system, near the auto dealership. All sewer mains for the expanded system are installed. The last 800 feet at the end of King Street near the Westford town line has been completed.
- Paving has been completed along King Street from the High School to Russell Street.
- Paving has also been completed around the intersection of King Street and Great Road at the Common. Remaining areas of King Street and Great Road are expected to be paved this fall after a required waiting period.
- The sidewalk on King Street from Murray Park to the I-495 bridge has been repaired.
- The access road to the Reuben Hoar Library has been paved (pictured).
- Crews have repaired and seeded areas disturbed last fall, including the war memorial at King and Shattuck Streets. Please keep people, pets and vehicles off the newly seeded areas.
- On the King Street bridge, work has been completed on installing new sewer pipe under the bridge across I-495.
- Installation of lateral service lines on King Street, between Shattuck and Stevens, has wrapped up. Lateral lines run from the main sewer line to the property line for later connection to the building.
242 King Street-Â Water Resource Recovery Facility.
Located at 242 King Street, the building exterior is completed, and crews are working through a punch list and beginning the commissioning of the equipment, a process that can take three months.
(Note: Construction schedules are subject to change for reasons such as inclement weather and the progress of the work. Please check back here for updates.)
Project Plans
Littleton Sewer Public Forums
If you missed our public forum on Town Meeting Articles 22 and 23, you can watch the replay here.Â
Littleton Sewer System Expansion Project
The Littleton Sewer System Expansion Project will bring sewer to the greater Littleton Common area in a district that encompasses more than 100 properties. Sewer will support the Town’s goal of economic development and help to protect the environment and Littleton’s water resources.
Under the leadership of the Board of Water Commissioners, LELWD expects to complete design and permitting of the 243,000-gallons-per-day sewer system in the Fall of 2022, put the project out to bid in the winter months, and start construction in the Summer of 2023.
Sewer District
The sewer district initially includes 53 commercial properties and 58 residential properties. Residential properties will have an option to opt-out if their septic systems meet certain criteria. The district also includes the 40-acre parcel at 550 King Street. While not originally part of the district, the developer requested the Commissioners add the property so the mixed-use, commercial and residential development can connect to the sewer. The addition of this property to the district provided the critical mass of customers that made the project financially feasible.
Project Cost & Repayment of Loans
The actual cost of the project will be determined by competitive bidding for construction in late summer 2022. The Littleton Town Meeting authorized LELWD to borrow $28.5 million for the project in October 2021.
- The Town expects to apply for state and federal grant money that could offset the project cost by about $8.5 million.
- After receiving grants, the town would expect to borrow about $20.5 million to be repaid by means of betterment assessments and connection fees.
- The sewer loans will be repaid by the sewer system users:
- 60% from the 550 King Street proposed development.
- 20% from municipal buildings connected to the sewer.
- 20% from other commercial and residential users.
- LELWD plans to seek low-interest loans from the state’s Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund. The loans would be repaid over 30 years.
System Components
The system will comprise basically of sewer mains installed under streets to which buildings will connect. The mains will transport raw sewer to a water resource recovery facility at 242 King Street. The treated effluent will then be transported by sewer main to the recharge site (essentially a large leach field) at 56 King Street.
Water Resource Recovery Facility
- Location: 242 King Street
- Most of the facility will be located below ground with a single building visible.
- Traffic entering the facility will be from the driveway on King Street.
- The facility will be outside of the wetlands buffer zone along Beaver Brook.
- Facility will be sited along the I-495-edge of the property and as far away from Beaver Brook and the Russell Street residences as possible.
Benefits of Sewer
Lack of a sewer system in the Common is hindering economic development and contributing to groundwater pollution, which can impact our drinking water supply.