Cambridge, MA Water Supply
May 3, 2010 7:21 PM Subscribe
Why does Cambridge, MA have a separate water system from the rest of the metro Boston area?
After a recent pipe break the MWRA has issued a boil water notice for basically the entire Boston metro area, with the exception of Cambridge. Lucky for me, but now I want to know why Cambridge has its own water supply system. I've been able to find out that, in addition to Fresh Pond, Cambridge has reservoirs out in Waltham and Lincoln, but haven't found much information beyond that. What's the history behind Cambridge having its own water system? It just seems kind of odd since everything else appears to be consolidated.
After a recent pipe break the MWRA has issued a boil water notice for basically the entire Boston metro area, with the exception of Cambridge. Lucky for me, but now I want to know why Cambridge has its own water supply system. I've been able to find out that, in addition to Fresh Pond, Cambridge has reservoirs out in Waltham and Lincoln, but haven't found much information beyond that. What's the history behind Cambridge having its own water system? It just seems kind of odd since everything else appears to be consolidated.
The Globe has an article about it:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/05/03/city_becomes_an_oasis_for_those_in_search_of_untainted_taps/
Basically, Cambridge has its own water sources, and a new water treatment plant.
posted by zaphod at 8:44 PM on May 3, 2010
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/05/03/city_becomes_an_oasis_for_those_in_search_of_untainted_taps/
Basically, Cambridge has its own water sources, and a new water treatment plant.
posted by zaphod at 8:44 PM on May 3, 2010
Best answer: This is less about the history of the Cambridge water supply than it is about the consolidation of the metro area's suburban municipalities into the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority in 1985. Of the member communities (see second link), many use the MWRA water supply, but not all.
Basically, by the late 20th century, most of the available water resources had already been tapped, and so growing suburbs would have been unable to afford to go farther (if they legally could) to get water. Voluntary consolidation made sense. Those communities that had resources, like Cambridge, would have been more likely to stay independent, as the alternative would have been turning over their resources to the commons.
posted by dhartung at 9:35 PM on May 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
Basically, by the late 20th century, most of the available water resources had already been tapped, and so growing suburbs would have been unable to afford to go farther (if they legally could) to get water. Voluntary consolidation made sense. Those communities that had resources, like Cambridge, would have been more likely to stay independent, as the alternative would have been turning over their resources to the commons.
posted by dhartung at 9:35 PM on May 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
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posted by carmicha at 7:31 PM on May 3, 2010 [1 favorite]