Town officials have begun to discuss the details of a potential multimillion dollar sewer project that could revamp the Swifts Beach sewer system.

According to Guy Campinha, director of the Wareham Water Pollution Control Facility, Swifts Beach was sewered in 1978, and issues with "infiltration," back-ups, and general deterioration have begun to crop up in the past few years.

"I think it's a project that we ought to pursue for many reasons," Campinha said to Selectmen Tuesday, as they met as the Board of Sewer Commissioners. "The reality is, we've been kicking the can for quite some time."

He said a considerable amount of ground water is seeping into the system has caused a number of problems, stifling the future development of the sewer system within the town.

Campinha said the estimated project cost would be about $18 million over 20 years. At a glance, that would cost sewer users an additional $99 per year for the 20-year project.

Campinha said the town could be eligible for zero percent borrowing and that there are opportunities for debt forgiveness.

Selectman Peter Teitelbaum said he wanted to know definitive numbers before going to Town Meeting asking voters to fund the project.

"What are people going to be seeing on their sewer bills as a consequence of these projects?" he asked. "That's the issue here."

Selectman Patrick Tropeano said the costs would just continue to go up the longer the town holds off on the project.

"It's going to save the sewer users in the long run," he said.

Campinha added that fixing the sewer system would improve the roads in Swifts Beach, which he said are currently in poor condition.

"That is not the road's problem. It's what's underneath the roads," Campinha said.