WHITINSVILLE WATER COMPANY
The Whitinsville Water Company (WWC) was incorporated in 1954 when it assumed the water supply and distribution system from the Whitin Machine Works. WWC is a private enterprise, a Public Utility, and regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
Five Reservoirs
The water supply is unique in that it is classified as a ground water supply, yet depends extensively on a series of five reservoirs to satisfy demand. The Massashusetts DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) determined that the water coming from all of the wells is “ground water under the influence of surface water”.
The company owns over 1,600 acres of undeveloped watershed land which protects the five reservoirs. There are two tubular well fields located adjacent to reservoirs. The reservoir water is used to recharge the ground water near the wells with the earth acting as a filter. Each well field also has state-of-the-art treatment facilities which ensure high water quality is maintained. The system has the capacity to produce more than 2.5 Millions of Gallons per Day.
The WWC provides water service to a population of 14,000 throughout the Town of Northbridge in addition to providing operations contracts to an additional 1100 customers in three surrounding water systems. Many more neighboring water systems depend on the WWC to provide repairs and maintenance of their water system due to the fact WWC owns an extensive line of construction equipment.
Northbridge Water System
About 2100 customers are billed through the WWC and roughly 2200 customers are billed through the Northbridge Water system. All the water passes through the pipes serviced by WWC. There are about 800 hydrants in the system, and the water hydrant rental fee is “collective” and not individually paid to WWC. WWC manages the maintenance and improvement of the Town pipes as well as WWC pipes, and handles all the Town’s water billing and customer service.
1800 System
This entire water system is quite old, having been started in the mid 1800s under the control of the Whitin Machine Works.
Like many villages of the Industrial Revolution, the Whitinsville mill owners provided many of the essential services to the area, one of which was starting a water supply for domestic, power and fire protection purposes.
Prentice Farm - Whitin’s Pond
Whitin’s Pond, now known as Meadow Pond was constructed in 1857 so that when the rivers ran dry, the Whitins also had a reservoir of water for power.
Whitin’s pond was constructed at the site of the Prentice pasture and farm. It’s interesting to note that one of the Whitins married a Prentice. Today, there is a street on the westerly edge of Whitin’s Pond/Meadow Pond named Prentice Road.
On September 9, 1901, the Reservoir Dam, Break Neck was started (Lower Dam).
In 1937, water pipes were placed over Northbridge Hill and at the “Plummers Flats”.
In 1944 main water lines were installed along Douglas Road for “the new shop”.
Carpenter Reservoir
Today, as you pass by the Carpenter Reservoir, formerly called “New Pond”, which was a favorite spot for swimming, do not be surprised to see many newew homes built there.
Carpenter Reservoir is a pond bisected by Carpenter Road in Whitinsville which goes across it in a single lane, rickety manner. Water flows from Carpenter Reservoir down into Whitin’s Pond/Meadow Pond in Whitinsville.
Non-motorized boats are allowed on the reservoir for passive recreation.
Sea Scout Camp on Meadow Pond
Thomas Frieswick and Stanley Thomas
About 3 miles to the east, you can view Whitin's Pond/Meadow Pond and reflect about Thomas S. Frieswick, who served in WWII from 4/18/45-7/11/46 on the USS LST 989 of the US Navy and earned Asiatic Pacific and American Theater Ribbons and the Victory Medal. He founded the Sea Scouts after WWII and there is still a beach area there at the end of the trail, named after Stanley Thomas, who was killed in action on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor when aboard the USS Arizona.
All this is visible as you enter Delwyn Barnes Memorial Park.
On the other side of Meadow Pond, where the Mumford River connects along Douglas Road, there is a new “Picnic Point” Industrial Park. Many years ago this was a popular place for employees for relaxing in the summertime when they had outside lunches and picnics.
SOURCES AND CREDITS:
1 Journal of William “Gummy” Montgomery, 1890-1946
2 Web Site of Whitinsville Water Company, http:// www.whitinsville water.com
3 History of the Whitin Machine Works Since 1831; Thomas R. Navin; c.1950
The Whitinsville Water Company (WWC) was incorporated in 1954 when it assumed the water supply and distribution system from the Whitin Machine Works. WWC is a private enterprise, a Public Utility, and regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
Five Reservoirs
The water supply is unique in that it is classified as a ground water supply, yet depends extensively on a series of five reservoirs to satisfy demand. The Massashusetts DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) determined that the water coming from all of the wells is “ground water under the influence of surface water”.
The company owns over 1,600 acres of undeveloped watershed land which protects the five reservoirs. There are two tubular well fields located adjacent to reservoirs. The reservoir water is used to recharge the ground water near the wells with the earth acting as a filter. Each well field also has state-of-the-art treatment facilities which ensure high water quality is maintained. The system has the capacity to produce more than 2.5 Millions of Gallons per Day.
The WWC provides water service to a population of 14,000 throughout the Town of Northbridge in addition to providing operations contracts to an additional 1100 customers in three surrounding water systems. Many more neighboring water systems depend on the WWC to provide repairs and maintenance of their water system due to the fact WWC owns an extensive line of construction equipment.
Northbridge Water System
About 2100 customers are billed through the WWC and roughly 2200 customers are billed through the Northbridge Water system. All the water passes through the pipes serviced by WWC. There are about 800 hydrants in the system, and the water hydrant rental fee is “collective” and not individually paid to WWC. WWC manages the maintenance and improvement of the Town pipes as well as WWC pipes, and handles all the Town’s water billing and customer service.
1800 System
This entire water system is quite old, having been started in the mid 1800s under the control of the Whitin Machine Works.
Like many villages of the Industrial Revolution, the Whitinsville mill owners provided many of the essential services to the area, one of which was starting a water supply for domestic, power and fire protection purposes.
Prentice Farm - Whitin’s Pond
Whitin’s Pond, now known as Meadow Pond was constructed in 1857 so that when the rivers ran dry, the Whitins also had a reservoir of water for power.
Whitin’s pond was constructed at the site of the Prentice pasture and farm. It’s interesting to note that one of the Whitins married a Prentice. Today, there is a street on the westerly edge of Whitin’s Pond/Meadow Pond named Prentice Road.
On September 9, 1901, the Reservoir Dam, Break Neck was started (Lower Dam).
In 1937, water pipes were placed over Northbridge Hill and at the “Plummers Flats”.
In 1944 main water lines were installed along Douglas Road for “the new shop”.
Carpenter Reservoir
Today, as you pass by the Carpenter Reservoir, formerly called “New Pond”, which was a favorite spot for swimming, do not be surprised to see many newew homes built there.
Carpenter Reservoir is a pond bisected by Carpenter Road in Whitinsville which goes across it in a single lane, rickety manner. Water flows from Carpenter Reservoir down into Whitin’s Pond/Meadow Pond in Whitinsville.
Non-motorized boats are allowed on the reservoir for passive recreation.
Sea Scout Camp on Meadow Pond
Thomas Frieswick and Stanley Thomas
About 3 miles to the east, you can view Whitin's Pond/Meadow Pond and reflect about Thomas S. Frieswick, who served in WWII from 4/18/45-7/11/46 on the USS LST 989 of the US Navy and earned Asiatic Pacific and American Theater Ribbons and the Victory Medal. He founded the Sea Scouts after WWII and there is still a beach area there at the end of the trail, named after Stanley Thomas, who was killed in action on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor when aboard the USS Arizona.
All this is visible as you enter Delwyn Barnes Memorial Park.
On the other side of Meadow Pond, where the Mumford River connects along Douglas Road, there is a new “Picnic Point” Industrial Park. Many years ago this was a popular place for employees for relaxing in the summertime when they had outside lunches and picnics.
SOURCES AND CREDITS:
1 Journal of William “Gummy” Montgomery, 1890-1946
2 Web Site of Whitinsville Water Company, http:// www.whitinsville water.com
3 History of the Whitin Machine Works Since 1831; Thomas R. Navin; c.1950
