USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1915-1922 > Part 79
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January 20, 1921.
Mr. W. P. Hammersley, General Manager, Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I submit the following report upon the examination and tests for an addi- tional water supply which have been made during the past summer and fall:
Previous examinations and tests had already demonstrated that the lo- cations within the town boundaries where it might be possible to secure such a supply were limited.
The first tests for an underground supply were made in 1899. At that time six two and one-half inch iron pipe wells were driven in the south- westerly side of the Purgatory Brook Valley at a point on the northerly side of Neponset Street and about 600 feet distant from the junction of Pleasant Street. Five of the wells were connected up and pumped contin- uously for a period of two weeks, or from December 29th, 1899 to January 12th, 1900. The amount of water pumped from the wells was from 340,000 to 460,000 gallons per day.
Samples of water collected during the test were sent to the State Board of Health for analysis. The results of the analysis showed that some of the water had been polluted, but at the time the investigations were made it was thoroughly purified in its passage through the ground before reaching the wells. Owing to the layer of peat at the surface of the ground which extends to a depth of about 11 feet, there was danger that the water would become affected by an excess of iron, after a longer or shorter period.
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In 1905 another group of test wells were driven. These wells were lo- cated in the Purgatory Brook Valley at a point about 3000 feet easterly from Washington Street and near the northerly side of the valley.
Nine two and one-half inch wells were driven in this location. The wells were connected up and pumped from continuously for several days at a rate of about 485,000 gallons per day.
Application for advice was made to the State Board of Health and results of the test together with samples of water for analysis furnished the Board. In answer to the application the following reply was received :
"The State Board of Health has considered your application for advice as to taking water for the supply of the town of Norwood from the ground on the southwesterly side of Purgatory Brook, about half a mile southeast of the Ellis station on the Midland Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and has caused the locality to be examined by its engineer and considered the results of a pumping test made to ascertain the probable quantity and quality of water obtainable from the ground in this region.
The wells which were used in making the pumping test were nine in number and were located in the meadow, close to the upland. The depth of peaty soil at the surface of the ground in this location is not great, and beneath the surface soil the wells penetrated a coarse sand, from which water could be drawn very freely.
The results of the test, during which about 485,000 gallons per day were drawn from the wells, indicate that a sufficient supply of water for Nor- wood can probably be obtained from the ground in this region. Samples of water collected daily during the test show that the water is clear, colorless and in other respects of good quality for the purposes of a public water supply but the quantity of chlorine present is considerably higher than that of normal waters in this region, and the nitrates are also high, conditions which are doubtless caused by the presence of dwelling houses and a group of farm buildings upon the sandy and gravelly lands northwest of the wells and by the cultivation of these lands. The quantity of iron also is somewhat higher than is found in good ground waters. It is probable, however, that by removing the sources of pollution nearest the wells the danger of serious pollution of the water could be prevented; and it is likely that by locating the wells in the hard land, instead of in the meadow, danger of trouble from an excess of iron in the water could be avoided.
While this test indicates that a sufficient supply of water for the present requirements of Norwood could probably be obtained from the ground in this region by means of a system of tubular wells, and, while it is possible that by removing certain sources of pollution and changing somewhat the location of the wells the quality of the water would be satisfactory, an ex- amination of the locality shows that the conditions are more favorable for obtaining water free from pollution on the opposite, or northeasterly side of the Purgatory Brook valley from a quarter to half a mile west of the present wells. So far as can be judged from surface indications, the soil in this region is coarse and porous, and it is probable that water can be ob- tained from the ground here freely by means of wells or other suitable works.
In the opinion of the Board, it is very desirable that tests be made in this locality before deciding upon the final location of the works; and if water of good quality can be obtained from the ground in sufficient quantity at some point at least 100 feet away from the edge of the meadow, it would be best to locate the works here, rather than at the place now proposed.
The Board would, therefore, advise a further test in the locality indicated, and will give you further advice, if you so request, when the results of fur- ther tests are available."
In 1911 it became absolutely necessary to secure an additional supply and acting upon the above advice nine wells were driven in higher land and at a point about 300 feet westerly from the wells that were driven in 1905.
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These wells were connected up and pumped continuously for a period of ten days.
Throughout the test careful records showing elevation of the ground water were kept and daily samples sent to the State Board of Health for analysis, and application made for advice.
In reply to the application the Board answered as followed:
"The State Board of Health has considered your application of June 12, 1911, for advice as to a proposed additional water supply for the town of Norwood, to be taken from tubular wells near Purgatory Brook in the northeasterly part of the town, and has examined the results of a pumping test made by pumping from eight tubular wells in this locality from June 2 to Junc 11.
An earlier investigation in this region, made in 1905, indicated that a large quantity of water could probably be obtained from the ground in this valley by means of tubular wells, but there appeared to be danger that the ground water at the location then tested would be affected by the presence of an excessive quantity of iron, and you were advised to secure, if possible, a location on the easterly side of Purgatory Brook, where the conditions appear to be more favorable for obtaining water free from an excess of iron.
It appears that it has been found impracticable up to the present time to make tests in the locality indicated, but in view of the urgent necessity for an additional water supply, it is deemed desirable to use water from the locality northwest of Purgatory Brook, if an adequate supply of suitable water can be obtained there.
During the recent pumping test water was pumped practically continu- ously from a group of eight wells located in the upland from 200 to 450 feet northcast of the wells tested in 1905, and samples of water were collected at frequent intervals during the test and sent into the laboratory of the Board for analyscs. It is evident from the analyses that the ground water at the locality now selected has at some time been polluted, probably by the cultivation of the ground in the neighborhood of the wells and in part also from groups of farm buildings located at a considerable distance from the wells; but the analyses show that the water has been thoroughly purified in its passage through the ground before entering the wells and is at present of good quality for domestic purposes, the quantity of iron present being insignificant.
The quantity of water pumped from the wells during the test was not great, but the indications furnished by this and previous tests are favorable for obtaining an adequate quantity of water in this locality for the present requirements of the town when used in connection with your present source.
Considering the circumstances, the plan of taking water from the ground in this locality appears to the Board to be the best available method of increasing your water supply in the present emergency."
After receiving the above reply, seven test wells were driven along the casterly side of Purgatory Brook as suggested. These wells were located in the higher land and from 1400 to 1800 feet southeasterly from the present pumping station. The underground conditions were not found suitable for securing a supply; hard, impervious material was reached in each well at from eight to ten feet below the surface and continued to a depth of 30 to 40 feet, thus making it necessary to abandon the location.
From the above, it will be seen that the former investigations and tests thoroughly covered a large arca of the Purgatory Brook valley and that if an additional supply was to be secured, it must be from some other part of the valley or from an entirely independent source outside of the valley.
There were three locations from which it was thought that a ground water supply might be sccured.
First: Along the foot of the sandy plain bordering the Purgatory Brook valley on its northerly side.
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Second: Along the southerly side of the Purgatory Brook valley at a point about one mile southerly from the present pumping station.
Third: In the Traphole Brook valley located in the southerly end of the town.
Of the three locations, the first was considered the most promising, both from the possibility of securing a supply and from its close proximity to the present pumping station, and it was decided to make a thorough and exhaustive test of this location before going to the others.
Location of Wells
The location chosen was along the foot of the slope above spoken of and extending from a point about 500 feet south of the junction of Everett Avenue and the Westwood line; a distance of about one mile down the valley to the Everett spring (so-called). Fifteen preliminary wells were driven along this line, six of which were driven starting at the Everett spring, and extending up the valley (along the foot of the slope) a distance of about 1500 feet and the remainder starting at the upper end of the line and extending down the valley a distance of about 3000 feet.
The six wells starting at the Everett spring and extending up the valley were unsatisfactory, both from the quantity of water available and from its quality. In all of the wells rock was found underlying the surface at a depth of from 12 to 23 feet. The material through which the wells were driven was composed of a tight, compact sand down to within about 3 or 4 feet of the ledge, the latter being composed of coarse sand and gravel with some clay. Three of the wells would pump from 15 to 20 gallons per minute, but owing to the shallow depth of water bearing material, and to the quality of the water, it was not thought possible to secure a sufficient supply in this location, and it was decided to make other tests in the upper part of the valley.
Nine wells were driven in this location starting at a point about 1200 feet northerly from the pumping station and extending along the foot of the slope down the valley a distance of about 3000 feet.
The underground conditions in the wells on either end of the line was found unsuitable for a supply.
The most favorable conditions were found in the locality almost directly east of the present pumping station and extending from the southerly line of the Soppe property southerly a distance of about 1500 feet. Five pre- liminary wells were driven in this location, all of which were in coarse sand and gravel, to a depth of about 40 feet below the surface. These wells yielded freely when pumped with a hand pump. From anaylsis made by the State Department of Health, the water was found to be of excellent quality for domestic use.
Acting upon advice from the State Department of Health, sixadditional wells were driven and in connection with two of the preliminary test wells connected to a steam pump, and a test was made by pumping continously from the eight wells for a period of eight days, between December 16th and December 24th, 1920, pumping at the average rate of 372,000 gallons per day.
Application was made to the State Department of Health requesting its approval of the location to be used as a source of water supply for the town.
The reply from the Department, received on January 12th, 1921, was as follows :-
"The results of the test indicate that a quantity of water which will be a material addition to the available water supply of the town, can be obtained from the wells in the region in which the recent tests were made. The result of the analyses of samples of water collected during the test shows that it is clear, colorless and odorless, and in all respects of good quality for domestic use.
In view of the results of this test, the Department approves of the loca- tion of the wells and the use of water from these sources as an additional water supply for the town of Norwood."
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS State Board of Health Water Analysis
Turb.
Appearance Sed.
Color
Odor Cold
Hot
Residue of Evaporation Free Total
Ammonia Aluminoid Total
Chlorine
Nitrogen Nitrates Nitrates Hardness
Iron
Minimum .
3.50
0
.0010
.40
.0120
0
to
1.1
.002
and
0
0
0
0
0
to
to
to
to
to
.0001
to
to
Maximum
0
0
0
0
0
4.20
.0005
.0017
.42
. 0138
0
1.6
.25
5.20
.0014
. 0032
. 45
. 0160
Average
1.3
.008
127
128
Result of Test Wells in Other Locations
In the second loeation, or on the southerly side of the Purgatory Brook valley, one well was driven to a depth of 50 feet below the surface.
The material through which this well was driven was composed of a very fine eompaet sand for its entire depth and would yield no water what- ever. The location ehosen for the well was thought to be a fair average of the surrounding area, and the results of the test demonstrated that it would not be possible to seeure a supply in the vieinity.
At the third loeation in the Traphole Brook valley, one well only was driven.
The material was found to be practically the same as that found on the south side of the Purgatory Brook valley and it was not thought advisable to drive other wells in this location.
Considering the result of the investigations and tests which have been made, there is no doubt that if an additional supply of ground water is to be seeured, it must be found in some location in the Purgatory Brook valley.
The previous tests thoroughly eovered a large portion of the possible avail- able area.
The tests made during the past summer show without doubt that there is but one location where water of suitable quality can be seeured.
The results of the pumping test show that a material addition to the present supply ean be seeured from this souree.
The test was made during the end of a wet season and the actual amount that ean be seeured during a very dry season is somewhat in doubt. Con- sidering the area of the water shed, together with the results of the pumping test, it is safe to say that this souree ean be developed to yield at least 400,000 gallons per day during a very dry period.
A study of the water level in the preliminary test wells would indieate that there is very little (if any) eonneetion between the proposed new and the present Ellis supplies. This was demonstrated by the faet, in two of the preliminary wells, water flowed over the tops, and the water level in the other wells remained at praetieally the same elevation throughout the entire fall. During the same period about three-quarters of the entire water supply for the town was pumped from the Ellis pumping station, with no appreciable effeet upon the water level in the test wells.
There is no doubt that the proposed new souree of supply is entirely independent from the present souree.
Available Supply From Purgatory Brook Valley
The present system was put in operation early in the summer of 1912, sinee which time a large proportion of the entire supply for the town has been taken from this souree.
Considering what the present system has done during the past nine years, I think a conservative estimate during a long dry period would be at least 600,000 gallons per day.
The proposed new souree will yield at least 400,000 gallons per day dur- ing a dry period or a total of one million gallons.
During years of average rainfall this amount would be inereased at least 30 to 40.
Owing to the topography of the ground and its elose proximity to the present pumping station, the cost of developing the new supply will be small. In general, it will mean an extension of the present driven well system only.
Development
In order to develop the supply about thirty additional wells should be driven and in eonneetion with the test wells driven during the past summer,
129
connected to a suction main, which main would be connected to an exten- sion of the present system. No change would be required inside of the station.
Estimated Cost of System
I estimate the cost of driving thirty additional wells, connecting present
test wells, laying suction mains, etc. as follows :-
$150.00
$4,500
Connecting 38 wells complete
40.00
1,520
Trenching and laying suction pipe:
300 feet S in. pipe
3.25
975
400 feet 10 in. pipe
3.75
1,500
1250 feet 12 in. pipe
4.50
5,625
Special castings
725
Extra for Brook Crossing
500
$15,345
Add 15% for eontingeneies
2,302
$17,647
Add for Land Damage.
Changes In Present System Of Wells
In order to develop the present system to its full capacity, there is one important change that should be made.
Of the 98 wells comprising the system, all but twelve are provided with strainers.
These strainers are of the double shell type and owing to the very fine material into which they are driven, much trouble has been experienced by fine sand entering the outershell and becoming packed between the inner and outer shells, thus materially reducing the yielding capacity of the wells.
The clogging of the strainer not only reduces the capacity of the wells, but it causes extra pumping expense, due to the higher vacuum necessary to lift the water.
Some of the wells become clogged more rapidly than others, thus putting an extra burden upon the freer pumping wells. I believe that some type of strainer better adapted to this particular material will to a large extent eliminate this trouble, and materially increase the capacity of the wells.
Buckmaster Pond Supply
This source must be depended on to furnish a substantial portion of the water supply for the town. This supply will furnish from 500,000 to 600,000 gallons of water per day throughout the year, and it should be drawn upon as fully as practicable throughout the summer months so as to relieve the draft on the driven well system.
The cost of pumping per million gallons from the supply is materially more than it is from the Ellis supply. This is due to the following:
First: Cost of pumping on to the filters.
Second: Care of filters.
Third: Low duty pumping machinery.
Fourth: Labor required to operate present machinery.
Fifth: That the plant is not used regularly and a larger proportion of coal is required for banking fires than would be neecssary if the plant was in steady use.
The average station duty, including eoal used for heating the station, is about 26 million foot pounds for each 100 pounds of coal consumed.
Labor
With the present plant, it requires an engineer and fireman at the station all of the time that it is in operation. For the year 1919 the expense for
Driving 30 wells complete
130
labor and coal was about equally divided. Owing to the extreme low duty type of pumping machinery, high eost of eoal, and amount and cost of labor necessary, the plant is not an economieal one to operate and new machinery of modern type should be installed.
I do not believe it wise to install another steam plant, as this would not tend to reduce the labor which is a material item in the total cost.
I am still of the opinion that electric driven centrifugal pumping machin- ery as outlined in my report to you of January 17, 1920, should be installed.
With a properly designed plant, the present cost of labor can easily be reduced fifty percent without impairing the service or taking any ehances whatever.
Water Hammer
There is considerable annoyance caused by water hammer when the present pumps are running. Particularly on the high land in the vicinity of the standpipe. I believe this trouble would be overcome to a large extent, if not entirely, by the use of centrifugal pumping machinery, the flow from which is nearly uniform.
Additional Pumping Machinery at Ellis Station
There is at present but one pumping unit at this station. This pump has been in operation for the past nine years, and owing largely to the con- dition of the wells under hard service. It is in good condition and of ample capacity to do the required work for many years. There is, however, always the possibility of some serious accident occurring which might put the plant out of commission for several weeks.
If the proposed new system is installed, there is no doubt that at least two-thirds of the supply will be pumped from this station and as a matter of safety a second plant should be provided.
Consumption
The consumption of water in Norwood during the past year has averaged 1,493,000 gallons per day, or about 118 gallons per capita. In 1911 the total daily consumption was 562,000 gallons, or a total increase of 931,000 gallons per day during the past 10 years.
Considering the fact that 80 percent of the services are metered, it would appear that a large amount of water was being lost by leakage from the street mains.
From a test made by the Pitometer Company of New York on July 7th, 1919, it was found that between the hours of 3 A. M. and 4 A. M. water flowed out of the standpipe at the rate of 735,000 gallons per day, or 510 gallons per minute. At this rate the consumption, at an hour when the draft should have been at its minimum, exceeded the entire 24 hours con- sumption during the year 1911 by 173,000 gallons per day.
This test was substantiated by a test recently made by you, in which you found that about 690 gallons per minute was being drawn from the system between the hours of 12 midnight and 5 A. M.
I believe a large amount of water is now being lost through leaks.
In gravelly or sandy soil, small leaks will seldom show on the street sur- face and with a large number of such leaks the amount of water lost is an important item.
I believe a thorough Pitometer test of the piping system will reveal many leaks where water has been going to waste for years and I should advise that such a test be made during the coming season.
The present minimum flow during the night hours should be reduced at least 50 percent. If this can be accomplished, the present average daily consumption will be reduced by about 400,000 gallons per day.
The saving in pumping station expense alone for one year will easily pay for making the tests.
The most important thing to consider is the effect upon the water supply.
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The capacity of the present sources with the addition of the proposed new source is estimated at one and one-half million gallons per day during the dry periods, or practically the present average daily consumption. If this can be reduced to 1,100,000 per day, there would be an excess capacity of 400,000 gallons. On the above basis the per capita consumption would . be 87 gallons.
In conclusion I should advise as follows:
First: Install the additional supply.
Second: Install new machinery at the Westwood Station.
Third: Install New Pump at the Ellis Station.
Fourth: Make a thorough examination and tests of the Piping System. Yours respectfully,
LEWIS D. THORPE.
SEWER DIVISION
We were unable to complete all sewer work contemplated as it was im- possible to secure the necessary pipe until late in the year. The work will be continued as long as weather conditions will permit, in anticipation of completion before the usual spring rush is on.
The supplementary discharge line to the filter beds has been built as authorized and has relieved the congested condition somewhat, but from recent observations, I am still of the opinion that it will be necessary to lay an additional syphon under the river near the Morrill Ink Works before conditions will be satisfactory. The work done this year was essential, entailed no unnecessary expense on the part of the Town and would have to be done before an additional syphon would be of any advantage in over- coming the present congestion.
Sewer Mains
Sewer extensions were made as follows:
North Avenue - 452 feet
Summit Avenue - 296 feet Lincoln Street - 550 feet
Vernon Street Extension - 248 feet
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