Downstream Spring 2015

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Downstream Spring 2015 AArchivalrchival SSurvivalurvival DCR/MWRA Historic Record Now Available Online Sean Fisher, DCR Archivist with Joel Zimmerman, DCR Regional Planner Sylvio Casparis, presi- dent of one of the several construction companies hired to build the Wachusett Aqueduct, poses on horse- back in 1897 at the mouth of the newly completed water conduit. This is just one of thousands of high-resolution historic images now avail- able online depicting the life and times surrounding the building of the Wachu- sett Reservoir as well as construction and operation of other Boston area water supply infrastructure. More images are shown in the pages of this expanded edi- tion of Downstream. eellll pphoneshones aarere eeverywhereverywhere ttoday,oday, bbutut oonene hhundredundred aandnd ttwentywenty yyearsears aagogo tthehe ffolksolks bbuildinguilding BBoston’soston’s ddrinkingrinking Cwwaterater ssystemystem ccouldould nnotot ttakeake a sselelfi e oorr a qquickuick vvideoideo ttoo ddocumentocument ttheirheir wwork.ork. TThehe MMetropolitanetropolitan WWaterater WWorksorks ((MWW)MWW) – ppredecessorredecessor ttoo tthehe DDepartmentepartment ooff CConservationonservation aandnd RRecre-ecre- aationtion ((DCR)DCR) aandnd tthehe MMassachusettsassachusetts WWaterater RResourcesesources AAuthor-uthor- iityty ((MWRA)MWRA) ((seesee ppageage 22)) – rreliedelied oonn tthathat eera’sra’s sstatetate ooff tthehe aartrt ttechnology,echnology, ddryry pplatelate gglasslass nnegativeegative ccameras,ameras, ttoo ttakeake mmoreore tthanhan 66,000,000 pphotographshotographs ffromrom 11895895 ttoo 11906.906. TTheyhey wwereere ddocumentingocumenting tthehe tthesehese nnotableotable iimagesmages aass wwellell aass mmakingaking eexpansionxpansion ooff BBoston’soston’s wwaterater ddistri-istri- tthemhem aavailablevailable fforor ppublicublic vviewingiewing iinn tthehe bbutionution ssystemystem tthroughhrough tthehe cconstruc-onstruc- iinternetnternet aage.ge. TThishis eeditiondition ooff DDownstreamownstream ttionion ooff tthehe WWachusettachusett RReservoir/eservoir/ pprovidesrovides ssomeome bbackgroundackground ttoo tthehe mmulti-ulti- DDam/Aqueduct,am/Aqueduct, SSudburyudbury RReservoir/eservoir/ ggenerationalenerational aarchivalrchival eeffort,ffort, tteasingeasing tthehe DDam,am, aandnd WWestoneston AAqueduct/Reser-queduct/Reser- rreadereader wwithith ffewew ooff tthehe ppicturesictures ssoo tthathat vvoir.oir. AAnn aadditionaldditional 22,000,000 iimagesmages yyouou wwillill wwantant ttoo ggoo oon-linen-line aandnd eexplorexplore wwereere ccapturedaptured bbetweenetween 11907907 aandnd tthehe wwealthealth ooff iinformationnformation nnowow aavailablevailable 11926926 sshowcasinghowcasing bbothoth bbuildingsuildings aatt tthehe cclicklick ooff a mmouseouse oorr tthehe sswipewipe ooff a aandnd ooperations.perations. TThehe 66.5”.5” x 88.5”.5” fi nngertip.gertip. ffragileragile nnegativesegatives aarere ssimilarimilar ttoo aanothernother ttechnologyechnology tthathat hhasas bbeeneen Early Storage ssupplantedupplanted bbyy tthehe ddigitaligital aage:ge: vvinylinyl NNearlyearly tthehe eentirentire ccollectionollection ooff aapproxi-pproxi- NUMBER 33 rrecords.ecords. LLikeike LLPs,Ps, tthehe nnegativesegatives mmatelyately 88,000,000 gglasslass pplatelate nnegativesegatives ((num-num- Spring 2015 aarere bbulkyulky aandnd ddififfi ccultult ttoo sstore,tore, bbutut bberedered ssequentiallyequentially ffromrom 1 tthroughhrough 77672,672, aarere a ssuperioruperior pproductroduct fforor ccaptur-aptur- ppluslus uunnumberednnumbered aandnd rrejectedejected nnegatives)egatives) Massachusetts Department iingng ddetailedetailed iinformationnformation ((atat lleasteast ttoo hhadad bbeeneen mmovedoved ttoo ttwowo CChestnuthestnut HHillill of Conservation and Recreation mmanyany aaudiophiles).udiophiles). PPumpingumping SStationstations iinn BBrightonrighton bbyy tthehe Division of Water Supply Protection DDCRCR hhasas ccollaboratedollaborated wwithith 11920s.920s. WWhilehile nnotot aann ooptimalptimal sstoragetorage www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply.htm sseveraleveral ppartnersartners ttoo bbothoth ssafeguardafeguard Continued on Page 4 2 DDownstreamownstream • SpringSpring 20152015 DCR and MWRA - Clean water partners By Joel Zimmerman, DCR Regional Planner Editors note: This article is reprinted from the Winter 2015 issues of ‘Watershed Currents’, the DCR/DWSP newsletter for Watershed Preservation Restriction (WPR) holders. ver the past 175 years, there have been a dozen different Metropolitan Water Works System Agency Names Onames of government organi- 1846 - Present zations responsible for the Boston area Agency Name Years drinking water supply. Today, the Of- Boston Water Commissioners 1846-1850 fi ce of Watershed Management within Cochituate Water Board 1850-1875 DCR’s Division of Water Supply Pro- Water Commissioners of the City of Charlestown tection (DWSP) and the Massachusetts Water Works 1862-1865 Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Mystic Water Board 1865-1875 manage this vast resource. Why two Boston Water Board 1875-1895 agencies? Metropolitan Water Board 1895-1901 The MWRA’s 1985 enabling Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board 1901-1919 legislation mandated the new indepen- Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), Water Division 1919-1985 dent authority to fi nance and repair Metropolitan District Water Supply Commission 1926-1947 the Boston region’s water and sewer for construction of the Quabbin Reservoir infrastructure, and act as the wholesale Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) 1985-Present for supply aqueducts and distribution system (from the MDC Water Division) distributor of these utilities to the local MDC Division of Watershed Management 1985-2003 for the Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, Wachusett Reservoir, and Sudbury Reservoir watersheds In This Issue: Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection 2003-Present Archival Survival 1 There has been a succession of agency names that have managed the construction Preserving century old pictures and plans and management of the greater Boston drinking water supply. Across the generations, no matter the name, there has been a commitment to providing ample clean water to DCR and MWRA 2 the citizens of the Commonwealth. Photograph of Sudbury Reservoir, 1898. Inter-agency cooperation cities and towns. While MWRA got joint responsibility. The inter-agency Snow Survey 3 all the pipes and treatment facilities, relationship, of course, is much more How historic was the winter of 2015? the legislature maintained state control complicated. In reality, DWSP and Kids Corner 11 of the land and reservoirs, creating MWRA work closely together to A word jumble a Division of Watershed Manage- provide 2.5 million people some of the Then and Now 12 ment within the Metropolitan District best drinking water in the world. MA Envirothon at Quabbin Commission (MDC), DCR’s predeces- The functions of each agency are sor agency (MDC and the Depart- spelled out in a Memorandum of Photo/Image Credits All pictures, unless noted otherwise, are from ment of Environmental Management Understanding. Most importantly, the Metropolitan Water Works Photograph Col- lection, available through Digital Commonwealth were merged in 2003 to become MWRA – and its ratepayers – en- (www.digitalcommonwealth.org). DCR). DWSP is required to provide tirely fund DWSP’s operating budget Page 3 DCR “a suffi cient supply of pure water to through the Water Supply Protection Page 10 Sean Fisher Page 12 Top: DCR the [MWRA], and shall utilize and Trust. This fi nancing also includes Bottom: Diane Petit, NRCS conserve said water and other natural land acquisition and Payments in Lieu resources in order to protect, preserve of Taxes (PILOT). The DCR/MWRA and enhance the environment of the watershed system is a partnership commonwealth and to assure the avail- that makes both short- and long-term ability of pure water for future genera- investments from the system’s users in tions.” the permanent protection and manage- In simple terms, DWSP handles ment of the source water supply. watershed management, while MWRA The cooperation between the two takes over when the water enters the agencies, and their ability to maintain Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs’ a successful watershed management MWW Truck #3, 1920 intakes. Reservoir management is a Continued on Page 10 DDownstreamownstream • SpringSpring 20152015 3 The Water Supply Natural Record The Wachusett Snow Survey Program By Steve Sulprizio, DCR Environmental Analyst Remember last winter? While measuring snow depth may not seem all that complicated, at right is a photograph of a training session that was conducted for snow depth and water content analysis outside the Wachusett Field Headquarters last winter in order to ensure consistent and accurate results from the staff involved in the survey. Below is a chart that shows the rate of snow pack build up and decline for the past 5 years, from 2010-2015 tube. A snow core is forecasting. The data is also benefi cial pulled out and is weighed to engineers who can use the snow to determine the snow weight to estimate stress on roofs from water equivalent. the snow. The scale is calibrated The winter of 2014-2015 proved to to translate the weight be particularly harsh, especially from of the snow to a water late January through the month of Feb- equivalent in inches. A ruary. Record cold and snow battered nvironmental Quality staff rough estimation is that a quarter of a the area for about six weeks. Worces- at the Wachusett Reservoir pound of snow
Recommended publications
  • PM the Massachusetts Historical Commission
    Inventory No: SBR.912 Historic Name: Weston Aqueduct Section 1 Bridge Common Name: MDC Access Road Bridge over Sudbury Reservoir Address: Weston Aqueduct City/Town: Southborough Village/Neighborhood: Fayville Local No: 7-6 Year Constructed: Architect(s): Gill, T. H. and Company Architectural Style(s): Arch Filled Spandrel; Arch Barrel Dressed Voussoir Use(s): Other Engineering; Other Transportation; Utilities Other Significance: Engineering; Transportation SBR.F: Sudbury Dam Historic District Area(s): sbr.i: Water Supply System of Metropolitan Boston Nat'l Register District (1/18/1990); Nat'l Register TRA Designation(s): (1/18/1990) Building Materials(s): The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic Places nominations for Massachusetts. Efforts are ongoing and not all inventory or National Register records related to this resource may be available in digital format at this time. The MACRIS database and scanned files are highly dynamic; new information is added daily and both database records and related scanned files may be updated as new information is incorporated into MHC files. Users should note that there may be a considerable lag time between the receipt of new or updated records by MHC and the appearance of related information in MACRIS. Users should also note that not all source materials for the MACRIS database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's public research area at its offices at the State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, open M-F, 9-5.
    [Show full text]
  • Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
    MASSACHUSETTS WATER RESOURCES AUTHORITY Fiscal Year 2019 Final CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented an award of Distinguished Budget Presentation to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for its annual budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. In order to receive this award, a government unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan and as a communication device. The award is valid for a period of one year only. We believe our current budget continues to conform to program requirements, and we are submitting it to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another award. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Left to right seated: Henry F. Vitale, Paul E. Flanagan, John J. Carroll, Vice-Chairman, Brian Peña Left to right standing: John J. Walsh, Matthew A. Beaton, Chairman, Joseph C. Foti, Jennifer L. Wolowicz, Andrew M. Pappastergion, Secretary, Austin F. Blackmon, Kevin L. Cotter, Fredrick A. Laskey, MWRA Executive Director. Prepared under the direction of Frederick A. Laskey, Executive Director David W. Coppes, Chief Operating Officer Thomas J. Durkin, Director, Finance together with the participation of MWRA staff. Louis M. Taverna, Chairman September 2018 MWRA Advisory Board 100 First Avenue Boston, MA 02129 Dear Chairman Taverna: This letter transmits to the Advisory Board MWRA’s Current Expense Budget (CEB) for Fiscal Year 2019. The CEB was approved by the MWRS’s Board of Directors on June 20, 2018. The FY19 Final Budget recommends a combined assessment increase of 3.07%, which is lower than the 3.8% increase projected for FY19 last year.
    [Show full text]
  • PM the Massachusetts Historical Commission
    Inventory No: SBR.931 Historic Name: Weston Aqueduct Common Name: Address: Weston Aqueduct City/Town: Southborough Village/Neighborhood: Local No: 12-1 Year Constructed: Architect(s): Architectural Style(s): Use(s): Other Engineering; Utilities Other Significance: Engineering SBR.H: Weston Aqueduct Linear District Area(s): sbr.i: Water Supply System of Metropolitan Boston Nat'l Register District (1/18/1990); Nat'l Register TRA Designation(s): (1/18/1990) Building Materials(s): The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic Places nominations for Massachusetts. Efforts are ongoing and not all inventory or National Register records related to this resource may be available in digital format at this time. The MACRIS database and scanned files are highly dynamic; new information is added daily and both database records and related scanned files may be updated as new information is incorporated into MHC files. Users should note that there may be a considerable lag time between the receipt of new or updated records by MHC and the appearance of related information in MACRIS. Users should also note that not all source materials for the MACRIS database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's public research area at its offices at the State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, open M-F, 9-5. Users of this digital material acknowledge that they have read and understood the MACRIS Information and Disclaimer (http://mhc-macris.net/macrisdisclaimer.htm) Data available via the MACRIS web interface, and associated scanned files are for information purposes only.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Board of Appeals
    LAND USE, PLANNING AND ZONING REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals hears and decides on applications for variances from zoning restrictions; findings (on additions or changes for preexisting, nonconforming properties); special permits for exceptional uses specified in the Zoning By Law; and comprehensive permits (under the “Anti- Snob Zoning” or Low and Moderate Income Housing Act of 1969). These cases total about 70 to 80 annually. Some are readily decided, but a few require multiple hearings and participation with other boards and committees. While zoning restrictions have protected the town from haphazard overdevelopment and have preserved a level of residential privacy, they may pose hardships to owners wishing to improve or to use their properties in a reasonable way. Hence the Board might serve as a “relief valve” in some such cases. Zoning in Weston began in 1928 and has been strengthened throughout subsequent years in light of new concerns and pressures. Since there is no town sewage, each property must have its own septic system, which incidentally requires and legally justifies larger lots and setbacks. However, our unique desirability and soaring property values – due not only to zoning, but also to a loca- tion convenient to the great facilities of a metropolitan area that draws talented people, which in turn leads to superior schools, involved citizenry and responsible local government – create spe- cial problems: 1. Building sites (with or without existing houses thereon) have become so valuable that new houses (often as replacements on the sites) are inevitably very large in view of the expensive land component.
    [Show full text]
  • National Register of Historic Places Continuation , Sheet Water Supply System Thematic Nomination 9 7 Section Number ___ Page J ___
    NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 10244018 (Rev. 8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1. Name of Property historic name Water Supply System of Metropolitan Boston, Themptir Mult.ipTp___________ other names/site number_______Properti es Submi ssi on_________________________________ 2. Location street & number Multiple N/ft I not for publication city, town See District Data Sheet iv ft I vicinity state MA code county code 027, 017, Norfolk. (J2T 3. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property I I private G3 building(s) Contributing Noncontributing fXI public-local f"Xi district buildings I I public-State I [site __ ____ sites I I public-Federal r~Xl structure Qfi A structures I I object . objects .Total Name of related multiple property listing: Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register >ee Continuation Sheet 4. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this H nomination l_j request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydropower and MWRA
    MassachusettsMassachusetts Water Water ResourcesResources AuthorityAuthority Presentation to MWRA Water Supply Citizen Advisory Committee Hydropower and MWRA October 2013 Hydropower at MWRA: History of Innovation • Provisions of 1895 Metropolitan Water Act gave Water Board authority to exploit hydropower at facilities under its control. Led to development of both hydropower at Wachusett and Sudbury. • Transmission of electricity from Wachusett in 1911 marked first known instance of hydroelectric power generation from a domestic water supply. • Set the precedent for utilization of head (distance which water falls) available at dams and on aqueducts to produce power: subsequent projects incorporated hydropower generation into facilities at design stage: Winsor Dam, Quabbin Aqueduct, Cosgrove Tunnel. 2 Wachusett Reservoir • Wachusett Dam Lower gatehouse was used to convey water into Wachusett Aqueduct, formerly the primary transmission line from Wachusett to Hultman Aqueduct. Prior to water being introduced into Aqueduct, it passed through four hydro turbines. • Wachusett Aqueduct now a back-up aqueduct, and turbines dormant 3 Sudbury Reservoir In 1915, hydropower installed at existing gatehouse at Sudbury Dam. Three turbines: one capturing flow discharged into Stony Brook/Framingham Reservoir #3, the other two capturing flow discharged into Weston Aqueduct. Generated approximately 1,000,000 kWH annually. Facility ceased operation and equipment was removed. Prior configuration does not work today. Aside from Weston Aqueduct no longer being is use, today’s standards can not be met. 4 Sudbury Reservoir 5 Winsor Dam • Located at outlet of Quabbin Reservoir. Hydroelectric power first generated around 1946. • Installed capacity of 1100 kW. Design to operate at flows of 110 cfs . Discharges through turbine designed to meet: – Acts of 1927: 20 mgd at Bondsville – War Department Permit [110 cfs (70 mgd) to be released when flows at Montague gage drop below 4500 cfs] • When in operation, turbine typically operated 5-7 hours a day.
    [Show full text]
  • Framingham Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT November
    Framingham Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT November 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Plan Summary ....................................................... 3 Chapter 2: Introduction ............................................................ 6 Chapter 3: Community Setting ................................................ 9 Chapter 4: Environmental Inventory and Analysis ................ 15 Chapter 5: Inventory of Lands ............................................... 48 Chapter 6: Community Vision ............................................... 77 Chapter 7: Analysis of Need ................................................. 78 Chapter 8: Goals and Objectives .......................................... 85 Chapter 9: The Seven Year Action Plan ............................... 87 LIST OF MAPS ................................................................... 105 APPENDICES (PENDING) ................................................. 106 Chapter 1: Plan Summary A. Purpose The overall purpose of the 2020 Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) is to serve as a guide for protecting, managing, improving, and expanding Framingham’s open space and recreation resources in the face of continuing development pressures. More specifically, the purposes of this OSRP are: • To identify unique open space and recreation assets and places that have ecological, recreational, civic, historic and/or scenic value; • To prioritize the open space and recreation needs for all citizens of Framingham; • To identify specific goals, objectives, and recommended priority
    [Show full text]
  • Waterworks System Improvements Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program
    Waterworks System Improvements Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program MWRA’s Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program is a 10‐year, $1.7 billion initiative consisting of a series of projects to protect reservoir watersheds, build new water treatment and transmission facilities, and upgrade distribution storage and MWRA and community pipelines. The program improves each aspect of the water system from the watersheds to the consumer to ensure that high quality water reliably reaches MWRA customers’ taps. The program began in 1995 and the principle components were completed by 2005. The main program components are as follows: Watershed Protection The watershed areas around Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs are pristine areas with 85% of the land covered in forest or wetlands and about 75% protected from development by direct ownership or development restrictions. MWRA works in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to manage and protect the watersheds. MWRA also finances all the operating and capital expenses for the watershed activities of DCR and on‐going land acquisition activities. MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel The 17‐mile‐long 14‐foot diameter tunnel connects the new Carroll Water Treatment Plant at Walnut Hill in Marlborough to the greater Boston area. It is now working in parallel with the rehabilitated Hultman Aqueduct to move water into the metropolitan Boston area. Construction began on the tunnel in 1996 and the completed tunnel was placed in service in October 2003. Carroll Water Treatment Plant The water treatment plant in Marlborough began operating in July 2005 and it has a maximum day capacity of 405 million gallons per day.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Real Property Owned and Leased by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
    The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance Report on the Real Property Owned and Leased by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Published February 15, 2019 Prepared by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Carol W. Gladstone, Commissioner This page was intentionally left blank. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction and Report Organization 5 Table 1 Summary of Commonwealth-Owned Real Property by Executive Office 11 Total land acreage, buildings (number and square footage), improvements (number and area) Includes State and Authority-owned buildings Table 2 Summary of Commonwealth-Owned Real Property by County 17 Total land acreage, buildings (number and square footage), improvements (number and area) Includes State and Authority-owned buildings Table 3 Summary of Commonwealth-Owned Real Property by Executive Office and Agency 23 Total land acreage, buildings (number and square footage), improvements (number and area) Includes State and Authority-owned buildings Table 4 Summary of Commonwealth-Owned Real Property by Site and Municipality 85 Total land acreage, buildings (number and square footage), improvements (number and area) Includes State and Authority-owned buildings Table 5 Commonwealth Active Lease Agreements by Municipality 303 Private leases through DCAMM on behalf of state agencies APPENDICES Appendix I Summary of Commonwealth-Owned Real Property by Executive Office 311 Version of Table 1 above but for State-owned only (excludes Authorities) Appendix II County-Owned Buildings Occupied by Sheriffs and the Trial Court 319 Appendix III List of Conservation/Agricultural/Easements Held by the Commonwealth 323 Appendix IV Data Sources 381 Appendix V Glossary of Terms 385 Appendix VI Municipality Associated Counties Index Key 393 3 This page was intentionally left blank.
    [Show full text]
  • Waterworks System Improvements Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program
    Waterworks System Improvements Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program MWRA’s Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program is a 10-year, $1.7 billion initiative consisting of a series of projects to protect reservoir watersheds, build new water treatment and transmission facilities, and upgrade distribution storage and MWRA and community pipelines. The program improves each aspect of the water system from the watersheds to the consumer to ensure that high quality water reliably reaches to MWRA customers’ taps. The program began in 1995 and the principle components have been completed by 2005. The main program components are as follows: Watershed Protection The watershed areas around Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs are pristine areas with 85% of the land covered in forest or wetlands and about 75% protected from development by direct ownership or development restrictions. MWRA works in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to manage and protect the watersheds. MWRA also finances all the operating and capital expenses for the watershed activities of DCR, including CIP funding for a completed sewer project and on-going land acquisition activities. MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel The 17-mile-long 14-foot diameter tunnel connects the new John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant at Walnut Hill in Marlborough to the greater Boston area. It is now the main transmission line moving water into the metropolitan Boston area. Once inspection, repairs and interconnections are complete, the old Hultman Aqueduct will be used in parallel as the back-up transmission link. Construction began on the tunnel in 1986 and the completed tunnel placed in service in October 2003.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary and Supporting Materials
    Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Special Meeting of the Board of Directors on Metropolitan Tunnel Redundancy Summary and Supporting Materials October 6, 2016 STATUS OF EXISTING WATER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FACILITIES Transmission System Overview The Water Transmission System can be divided into five major segments as shown in Figure 1. Completed or ongoing projects to achieve system redundancy for segments 1 through 4 are discussed below. The fifth segment, the Metropolitan Tunnels, represents the next challenge for the agency in improving the reliability of this great water system. 3 4 5 2 1 Figure 1 - MWRA Water Transmission System 1. Chicopee Valley Aqueduct. In 2007, MWRA completed construction of 8,100 feet of 30-inch diameter pipeline; 2,400 feet of 20-inch pipeline; and 3,100 feet of 16-inch pipeline to provide redundant supply for critical sections of the 14.8 mile long aqueduct. 2. Quabbin Aqueduct. The CIP includes development of an inspection plan for this tunnel and an isolation gate for the Quabbin end of the tunnel. With the exception of the Oakdale power station, which has under gone pipe and valve replacements, the shafts are un-pressurized ventilation structures with no surface piping or valves. The Wachusett Reservoir contains adequate storage to provide water supply if the Quabbin Aqueduct requires short duration maintenance (months) or emergency repair. 3. Cosgrove Tunnel/Wachusett Aqueduct. The Wachusett Aqueduct Pump Station project (currently under construction), together with the existing Wachusett Aqueduct will provide redundant supply to the John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant with up to 240 MGD of water, providing redundancy to the Cosgrove Tunnel during periods of low demand.
    [Show full text]
  • Aqueduct Trail Network Development in Metro Boston David Loutzenheiser MAPC
    Proceedings of the Fábos Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning Volume 4 Article 28 Issue 1 Pathways to Sustainability 2013 Aqueduct Trail Network Development in Metro Boston David Loutzenheiser MAPC Tom Lindberg MWRA Joel Barrera MAPC Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fabos Part of the Botany Commons, Environmental Design Commons, Geographic Information Sciences Commons, Horticulture Commons, Landscape Architecture Commons, Nature and Society Relations Commons, and the Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons Recommended Citation Loutzenheiser, David; Lindberg, Tom; and Barrera, Joel (2013) "Aqueduct Trail Network Development in Metro Boston," Proceedings of the Fábos Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning: Vol. 4 : Iss. 1 , Article 28. Available at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fabos/vol4/iss1/28 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Proceedings of the Fábos Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Loutzenheiser et al.: Aqueduct Trail Network Aqueduct Trail Network Development in Metro Boston David Loutzenheiser1, Tom Lindberg2, Joel Barrera3 1MAPC, 2MWRA, 3MAPC 393 | P a g e Published by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst, 2013 1 Proceedings of the Fábos Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning, Vol. 4, Iss. 1 [2013], Art. 28 Abstract The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) are collaborating with associated cities and towns to open up 40 + miles of existing and former aqueduct right-of-ways are available to be permitted for public access for the first time in the western suburbs of Boston.
    [Show full text]