Climate Resilience Redesign of Broad Cove Sewer Pump Station and Force Main

Public Meeting: May 18, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Learn more about the project and tell us what you think! Come to a public meeting (online) to get an overview of the project and ask your questions as the design plans to be completed by the June 30, 2022 deadline as part of the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Grant Program. RSVP to get instructions on how to join: or join on Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 879 0083 8149
Passcode: 877117 
Dial-in number: 929-205-6099 

Board Cove Pump Station

Hingham’s Climate Vulnerabilities

The Broad Cove Pump Station is one of the oldest sewer pump stations in the Town of Hingham and transports 95 percent of the Town’s North Sewer District’s flow from a 15-inch reinforced concrete (RC) force main to a gravity sewer on Route 3A for conveyance to the MWRA Pump Station on Route 3A. The pump station is already vulnerable to flooding and will only be more at risk under future scenarios due to climate change. In addition, during large storm events, the Broad Cove Force main and many of the gravity sewers in its tributary could be inundated with salt water and stormwater, subsequently overwhelming the pump station.

Water surface elevation is projected to reach up to 12.5 ft and 14 feet under a 100-yr storm in 2050 (left) and 2070 (right) respectively

Broad Cove Pump Station Water Surface Elevations

Broad Cove/North Sewer District Resilience Measures

To avoid a major shutdown of this wastewater collection system – and untreated wastewater discharges into Broad Cove and Hingham Harbor, a major ecological disaster – the Town is pursuing changes to the station and force main.  

The Town of Hingham is conducting a preliminary flood vulnerability assessment to identify possible flooding scenarios and mitigation measures for the Broad Cove Pump Station and potential rehabilitation designs for the Broad Cove Force Main and the tributary gravity sewer system. Next, final protection measures will be selected based on site specific analysis of existing built structures and roadways, and the Town will seek funding to implement those measures based on the site-specific study.

Depth of flooding from water surface elevation is projected to reach up to 9 feet and 11 feet for a 100-yr storm in 2050 (left) and 2070 (right) respectively

Broad Cove Pump Station Depth of Flooding

Wave Action Water Elevation around the pump station is projected to reach up to 14 feet and 16 feet for a 100-yr storm in 2050 (left) and 2070 (right) respectively

Broad Cove Pump Station Wave Action Water Elevation