Chestnut Hill Reservoir
Encyclopedia
Chestnut Hill Reservoir is a reservoir
created in 1870 on existing marshes and meadowland to supplement the city of Boston
's water needs. It is surrounded by Chestnut Hill
, a neighborhood which consists of parts of Boston, Brookline
, and Newton
. The reservoir, though, is located entirely within the city limits of Boston A 1.56 mile jogging loop abuts the reservoir. Chestnut Hill Reservoir was taken offline in the 1970s as it was no longer needed for regular water supply distribution, but is maintained in emergency backup status. It is recognized today on the National Register of Historic Places
and it has designation as a City of Boston Landmark.
On May 1, 2010, the Chestnut Hill Reservoir was temporarily brought back online during a failure
of a connecting pipe at the end of the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel
. Though a boil-water order was issued for fear that the water would not be safe to drink, following heavy treatment with chlorine later tests showed the water to be completely safe for drinking.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
created in 1870 on existing marshes and meadowland to supplement the city of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
's water needs. It is surrounded by Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Chestnut Hill is a wealthy New England village located six miles west of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Like all Massachusetts villages, Chestnut Hill is not an incorporated municipal entity, but unlike most of them, it encompasses parts of three separate municipalities, each of...
, a neighborhood which consists of parts of Boston, Brookline
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, and Newton
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
. The reservoir, though, is located entirely within the city limits of Boston A 1.56 mile jogging loop abuts the reservoir. Chestnut Hill Reservoir was taken offline in the 1970s as it was no longer needed for regular water supply distribution, but is maintained in emergency backup status. It is recognized today on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and it has designation as a City of Boston Landmark.
On May 1, 2010, the Chestnut Hill Reservoir was temporarily brought back online during a failure
2010 Boston Water Emergency
On May 1, 2010, a water pipe in Weston, Massachusetts broke and began flooding into the Charles River. This led to unsanitary water conditions in the greater Boston area which resulted in Governor Deval Patrick declaring a state of emergency and an order for residents to boil drinking water. The...
of a connecting pipe at the end of the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel
MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel
The MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel is an advanced underground aqueduct that supplies potable water to residents of much of Greater Boston. It is part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water supply system....
. Though a boil-water order was issued for fear that the water would not be safe to drink, following heavy treatment with chlorine later tests showed the water to be completely safe for drinking.