Chelsea Water

INTRODUCTION OF WATER INTO THE CITY

Water in Chelsea before 1867, was obtained from springs and wells. As the population grew, the number of wells with good water diminished and the water in the cisterns and reservoirs became stagnant. The health of the citizenry was at risk.

In his 1867 inaugural address, Mayor Frost, proposed a vote be taken on the introduction of water into the city. The vote was taken on May 27, 1867. The result of the vote was an 832 to 75 affirmative win.

Negotiations began immediately with the Mystic Water Board of the City of Charlestown. Negotiations included the request that a supply of water be brought to Chelsea through the Mystic Water Board's works. The source of water was the Mystic Lakes.

A contract was awarded on June 18th, to George Norman of Newport, Rhode Island, to lay 90,000 feet of wrought iron and cement pipe, in the City of Chelsea, and to set all the hydrants and gates required. The contract for trenching was awarded to Webster and Dixon of Chelsea, on July 1st. On Thursday morning, July 11th, ground was broken, with ceremony, near City Hall.

Through a special agreement with Boston, Chelsea was granted the use of Boston's pipe bridge to lay pipe across the Mystic River. This amounted to a great savings for Chelsea. Two inverted siphons of twenty-four inch pipe, made with solid joints in a boxing filled with cement, were lowered on opposite sides of the channel.

Lead pipe with block tin lining were chosen for service pipes. The hydrants were known as Post Hydrants, with the new feature of two, two and one-half leader line openings and one four inch steamer connection.

In only five months nearly 90,000 feet of pipe had been laid. In one day the amount of pipe laid would range from 1200 to 2200 feet. Sixty-six hydrants and 551 home services were put in. The cost was $150,000, twenty thousand dollars below estimate. Winter was approaching and work was suspended with only a few thousand feet left to go.

A fountain was constructed in Chelsea Square, where Columbus Park is located today. It was proposed that this would be the point to turn the first water on in the City of Chelsea. On Thursday, November 21, 1867, a column of water ascended into the air amid the shouts of the witnesses assembled. The sun playing upon the water's spray, released the beauty, with prismatic colors of the rainbow. Speaking for the committee, on the occasion, Edwin C. Barnes, stated: "We now have, running through our streets an unlimited supply of the purest and best of God's great gifts. It goes forth on it's grand mission of health, purity and cleanliness."

The Metropolitan Water act in 1895, Created the Metropolitan Water Board which brought the water supply from the Nashua River. The Metropolitan eventually took over. The Metropolitan District Commission was supplied by a number of reservoirs from western Massachusetts.

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Water in Chelsea before 1867, was obtained from springs and wells. As the population grew, the number of wells with good water diminished and the water in the cisterns and reservoirs became stagnant. The health of the citizenry was at risk. In his 1867 inaugural address, Mayor Frost, proposed a vote be taken on the introduction of water into the city. The vote was taken on May 27, 1867. The result of the vote was an 832 to 75 affirmative win. Negotiations began immediately with the Mystic Water Board of the City of Charlestown. Negotiations included the request that a supply of water be brought to Chelsea through the Mystic Water Board's works. The source of water was the Mystic Lakes. A contract was awarded on June 18th, to George Norman of Newport, Rhode Island, to lay 90,000 feet of wrought iron and cement pipe, in the City of Chelsea, and to set all the hydrants and gates required. The contract for trenching was awarded to Webster and Dixon of Chelsea, on July 1st. On Thursday morning, July 11th, ground was broken, with ceremony, near City Hall. Through a special agreement with Boston, Chelsea was granted the use of Boston's pipe bridge to lay pipe across the Mystic River. This amounted to a great savings for Chelsea. Two inverted siphons of twenty-four inch pipe, made with solid joints in a boxing filled with cement, were lowered on opposite sides of the channel. Lead pipe with block tin lining were chosen for service pipes. The hydrants were known as Post Hydrants, with the new feature of two, two and one-half leader line openings and one four inch steamer connection. In only five months nearly 90,000 feet of pipe had been laid. In one day the amount of pipe laid would range from 1200 to 2200 feet. Sixty-six hydrants and 551 home services were put in. The cost was $150,000, twenty thousand dollars below estimate. Winter was approaching and work was suspended with only a few thousand feet left to go. A fountain was constructed in Chelsea Square, where Columbus Park is located today. It was proposed that this would be the point to turn the first water on in the City of Chelsea. On Thursday, November 21, 1867, a column of water ascended into the air amid the shouts of the witnesses assembled. The sun playing upon the water's spray, released the beauty, with prismatic colors of the rainbow. Speaking for the committee, on the occasion, Edwin C. Barnes, stated: "We now have, running through our streets an unlimited supply of the purest and best of God's great gifts. It goes forth on it's grand mission of health, purity and cleanliness." The Metropolitan Water act in 1895, Created the Metropolitan Water Board which brought the water supply from the Nashua River. The Metropolitan eventually took over. The Metropolitan District Commission was supplied by a number of reservoirs from western Massachusetts.
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