After years of work, Lynnfield recently activated a new water connection to supplement the existing water supply. The connection adds the Lynnfield Center Water District (LCWD) to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) distribution network.
LCWD Director John Scenna said that, since being activated, the new connection has stabilized the LCWD “from a pressure and quantity perspective.” He added that they have had “no quality complaints to speak of.”
Scenna said the LCWD is the Town’s original water district, but as the Lynnfield grew, it became clear that another source of water was needed. He continued, saying that “a section of Lynnfield turned to MWRA water as MWRA made their way up Route 1.” That section – about 1/3 of Lynnfield – became the Lynnfield Water District, which already gets 100% of its water from the MWRA.
The new connection boosts the LCWD’s water supply and mitigates the risk of water supply failures during fire emergencies.
According to Scenna, the LCWD remains primarily a “groundwater supply district.” This means that the majority of water is still being pumped from the local groundwater of the Ipswitch River Watershed, but the new connection will supplement this supply when demand peaks.
The LCWD has dealt with supply issues for about a dozen years. Around that time, Scenna said, “demand on the Center Water District outgrew what it can pump.” This has led to water restrictions that affect when and how residents can do things like water their lawns and gardens.
This situation will hopefully improve starting next year. While the LCWD will always be restricted in some capacity due to the primary source being the watershed, the level of restriction can be reduced with the help of the new supplemental source’s capacity to supply up to 250 gallons per minute.
The Town will be conducting tests and looking at how much they will be able to ease restrictions over the winter. Scenna plans to put out their findings next spring when restrictions are reintroduced.
Scenna encourages anyone with questions to visit the LCWD website – LCWD.US – or call (781) 334-3901. Additional information can be found at LCWD at 83 Phillips Rd. in Lynnfield.
