Boston Water Management By James Welch

A Brief Review of Urban Water Management o Urban water systems are the natural or manufactured water systems that provide drinking water, expel wastewater, and drain stormwater from populated regions. o Some cities have multiple systems interacting together to provide water to the city and its suburbs. o About 85 percent of the world’s population receives water services from local authorities. o Some issues that urban water managers encounter are insufficient water sources, water contamination, aging infrastructure, and recently, terrorism.

Boston, Massachusetts  Before 1620, Boston was inhabited by various Native American groups who hunted, fished, and planted crops.  Water came from wells, rain barrels, and a spring on the Boston Common.  Boston is located at the mouth of the Charles River on the coast of Massachusetts Bay.  After 1620, Boston rose as the center of commerce for the New World. An urban water system rapidly became necessary.  Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and has remained the largest city in New England.  Today, over 600,000 people live in Boston.

Boston’s Water Sources (1897-present)

OK. That’s a nice map, but what does all that mean? Wachusett Reservoir  It was added in 1897 after the water demands became too taxing on the existing sources.  The main source is the Nashua River.  When it was completed, it was the largest public service reservoir in the world at that time, holding 65 billion gallons. Quabbin Reservoir  It is the largest reservoir that serves the Boston area.  It was constructed in 1936 and holds 412 billion gallons.  The Swift and Ware Rivers are the main sources.  When it was constructed, it became the largest man-made reservoir ever built that was designed exclusively for water supply. Others  they are filled by the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs.  These reservoirs are scattered around and just outside the city.  They are all much smaller and older.  The water is sent from these reservoirs to smaller holding tanks where it is distributed to the city.

What About the Wastewater? The first sewer system in Boston was completed in It took raw sewage andThe first sewer system in Boston was completed in It took raw sewage and In 1952, the Nut Island Treatment Plant was installed and wastewater was treated for the first time.In 1952, the Nut Island Treatment Plant was installed and wastewater was treated for the first time. In 2000, a second plant, the Deer Island Treatment Plant, was added. It revolutionized water treatment in the area.In 2000, a second plant, the Deer Island Treatment Plant, was added. It revolutionized water treatment in the area.

More About Wastewater Treated wastewater is sent through the deer island outfall tunnel and released in Massachusetts Bay. Along with wastewater, runoff from the polluted streets of Boston is collected by the sewer system and is treated for pollutants.

Water Treatment in Deer Island oThe treatment plant operates in three main steps. First, the mud and sand gets filtered out in a tank called a grit chamber. oThe water then is pumped to settling tanks where it is further filtered for particles. The water is now homogenous, but very toxic. Oxygen is added to the water to encourage the growth of microorganisms, which consume waste and are then filtered out. oLastly, the water is ejected through the outfall tunnel. The sludge taken out of the wastewater is brought to Quincy, Massachusetts where it is heat-dried and turned into pellet fertilizer.

Why Does This Stuff Matter?  As the global population continues to explode, urban water management is becoming increasingly important.  Water shortages in urban areas can have catastrophic results. For example, in the 1840’s, several historic fires in downtown Boston could not be contained due to lack of water in the city.  Water quality in the Charles River, Boston Bay, and Massachusetts Bay was dangerously polluted and could barely support wildlife. Now, water quality is on the rise and wildlife populations have increased.  2.2 million people and 5,500 businesses rely on water from these sources.  Millions of dollars are being spent on protecting water sources and urban water infrastructures.

Security Efforts in Boston Following 9-11 o National Guard troops began to patrol the borders of the Wachusett Reservoir. o The Quabbin Reservoir’s Visitors Center was closed. o Heavily armored Coast Guard boats began patrolling Boston Harbor. o Hundreds of manholes and hatches were welded shut. o The MWRA is currently working on a project to install a new aqueduct and new reservoirs within the city that are covered.

Conclusion/Review o Urban water systems are the natural or manufactured water systems that provide drinking water, expel wastewater, and drain stormwater from populated regions. o Boston is served by several different reservoirs scattered from inside Boston to Quabbin, Mass. o The first sewer system in Boston was completed in o The largest wastewater treatment plant is Deer Island. It is one of the best facilities in the world and is worth over 3 billion dollars. o Water quality in the Boston area has made huge improvements thanks to efforts made by the MWRA and managers in Boston. o Boston has made numerous efforts to protect the water system from terrorism.