Boston Water Boston Water ManagementManagement

By James WelchBy 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, MassachusettsBoston, Massachusetts

Before 1620, Boston was inhabited by various Before 1620, Boston was inhabited by various Native American groups who hunted, fished, and Native American groups who hunted, fished, and planted crops.planted crops.

Water came from wells, rain barrels, and a spring Water came from wells, rain barrels, and a spring on the Boston Common.on the Boston Common.

Boston is located at the mouth of the Charles Boston is located at the mouth of the Charles River on the coast of Massachusetts Bay.River on the coast of Massachusetts Bay.

After 1620, Boston rose as the center of After 1620, Boston rose as the center of commerce for the New World. An urban water commerce for the New World. An urban water system rapidly became necessary.system rapidly became necessary.

Boston is the capital of MassachusettsBoston is the capital of Massachusetts andand has has remained the largest city in New England. remained the largest city in New England.

Today, over 600,000 people live in Boston.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?OK. That’s a nice map, but what does all that mean?

Wachusett ReservoirWachusett Reservoir It was added in 1897 after the water demands became too taxing on the existing It was added in 1897 after the water demands became too taxing on the existing

sources.sources. The main source is the Nashua River.The main source is the Nashua River. When it was completed, it was the largest public service reservoir in the world at that When it was completed, it was the largest public service reservoir in the world at that

time, holding 65 billion gallons.time, holding 65 billion gallons.

Quabbin ReservoirQuabbin Reservoir It is the largest reservoir that serves the Boston area.It is the largest reservoir that serves the Boston area. It was constructed in 1936 and holds 412 billion gallons.It was constructed in 1936 and holds 412 billion gallons. The Swift and Ware Rivers are the main sources.The Swift and Ware Rivers are the main sources. When it was constructed, it became the largest man-made reservoir ever built that was When it was constructed, it became the largest man-made reservoir ever built that was

designed exclusively for water supply.designed exclusively for water supply.

OthersOthers they are filled by the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs.they are filled by the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs. These reservoirs are scattered around and just outside the city. These reservoirs are scattered around and just outside the city. They are all much smaller and older. They are all much smaller and older. The water is sent from these reservoirs to smaller holding tanks where it is distributed to The water is sent from these reservoirs to smaller holding tanks where it is distributed to

the city. the city.

What About the Wastewater?What About the Wastewater?

• The first sewer system in The first sewer system in Boston was completed in Boston was completed in 1877. It took raw sewage 1877. It took raw sewage and and

• In 1952, the Nut Island In 1952, the Nut Island Treatment Plant was installed Treatment Plant was installed and wastewater was treated and wastewater was treated for the first time. for the first time.

• In 2000, a second plant, the In 2000, a second plant, the Deer Island Treatment Plant, Deer Island Treatment Plant, was added. It revolutionized was added. It revolutionized water treatment in the area. 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

o The treatment plant operates in three main steps.

First, the mud and sand gets filtered out in a tank called a grit chamber.

o The 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.

o Lastly, 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?Why Does This Stuff Matter?

As the global population continues to explode, urban water As the global population continues to explode, urban water management is becoming increasingly important. management is becoming increasingly important.

Water shortages in urban areas can have catastrophic Water shortages in urban areas can have catastrophic results. For example, in the 1840’s, several historic fires in results. For example, in the 1840’s, several historic fires in downtown Boston could not be contained due to lack of downtown Boston could not be contained due to lack of water in the city.water in the city.

Water quality in the Charles River, Boston Bay, and Water quality in the Charles River, Boston Bay, and Massachusetts Bay was dangerously polluted and could Massachusetts Bay was dangerously polluted and could barely support wildlife. Now, water quality is on the rise barely support wildlife. Now, water quality is on the rise and wildlife populations have increased.and wildlife populations have increased.

2.2 million people and 5,500 businesses rely on water from 2.2 million people and 5,500 businesses rely on water from these sources.these sources.

Millions of dollars are being spent on protecting water Millions of dollars are being spent on protecting water sources and urban water infrastructures.sources and urban water infrastructures.

Security Efforts in Boston Following 9-Security Efforts in Boston Following 9-1111

o National Guard troops began to National Guard troops began to patrol the borders of the patrol the borders of the Wachusett Reservoir.Wachusett Reservoir.

o The Quabbin Reservoir’s Visitors The Quabbin Reservoir’s Visitors Center was closed. Center was closed.

o Heavily armored Coast Guard Heavily armored Coast Guard boats began patrolling Boston boats began patrolling Boston Harbor. Harbor.

o Hundreds of manholes and Hundreds of manholes and hatches were welded shut. hatches were welded shut.

o The MWRA is currently working on The MWRA is currently working on a project to install a new a project to install a new aqueduct and new reservoirs aqueduct and new reservoirs within the city that are covered.within the city that are covered.

Conclusion/ReviewConclusion/Reviewo Urban water systems are the natural or manufactured water Urban water systems are the natural or manufactured water

systems that provide drinking water, expel wastewater, and drain systems that provide drinking water, expel wastewater, and drain stormwater from populated regions.stormwater from populated regions.

o Boston is served by several different reservoirs scattered from Boston is served by several different reservoirs scattered from inside Boston to Quabbin, Mass. inside Boston to Quabbin, Mass.

o The first sewer system in Boston was completed in 1877.The first sewer system in Boston was completed in 1877.

o The largest wastewater treatment plant is Deer Island. It is one The largest wastewater treatment plant is Deer Island. It is one of the best facilities in the world and is worth over 3 billion of the best facilities in the world and is worth over 3 billion dollars. dollars.

o Water quality in the Boston area has made huge improvements Water quality in the Boston area has made huge improvements thanks to efforts made by the MWRA and managers in Boston. thanks to efforts made by the MWRA and managers in Boston.

o Boston has made numerous efforts to protect the water system Boston has made numerous efforts to protect the water system from terrorism.from terrorism.