LYNNFIELD — Under pressure to find new water sources, the Lynnfield Center Water District hopes to supplement well water supplies sufficiently to ease, even reduce, summer lawn watering restrictions.
One option under consideration calls for LCWD to link up with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) through pipelines in Saugus or Wakefield.
A second option involves drawing MWRA water through the Lynnfield Water District using existing infrastructure within Lynnfield’s borders. The third core option would be an investment by the LCWD in building additional wellfields and pumps within the less restricted Saugus River Watershed, while also constructing and improving filtration systems in the Ipswich River Watershed infrastructure.
The Ipswich River Watershed Association triggered the search for new water sources after Association representatives urged LCWD to find alternative sources — especially during the summer months.
“While the best course of action for the District and our customers remains to be seen, what we know for sure is that staying the course is not prudent in the long-term,” Superintendent John Scenna said in a statement, adding, “We’re working closely with our neighboring agencies to understand what’s most feasible, cost-effective and beneficial to all stakeholders as we evaluate the future needs of the District.”
Scenna said a fourth water source option could involve combining elements of the other three options.
LCWD draws upon existing wellfields to pump, treat and distribute water to its nearly 2,600 customers. Most of the water is pumped from the North Coastal Watershed (Saugus River), while other water comes from wells at Glen Drive and Main Street near Lowell Street within the Ipswich River Watershed.
In the LCWD statement, Scenna said the option review and selection process will take several months and draw on expertise provided by consultant CDM Smith.
Conversations with Lynnfield Water District, MWRA and the Saugus River Watershed Council representatives will be scheduled and the water supply system’s pressure and hydraulics will be tested to determine potential impacts. How mixing several water sources affects LCWD water quality will also be examined.
“Ultimately,” Scenna said, “the core issue at hand is ensuring that we have the infrastructure in place to move forward and meet customer demand for the long term.”
The past month has been a busy one for LCWD. Scenna and district commissioners met with Apple Hill neighborhood residents to discuss water quality improvements options and district customers received an 11-question survey which can be accessed and filled out on the LCWD website.
