The water pipelines included in this project are components of the MWRA’s Southern Extra High Service Area which serves portions of Boston, Brookline, Canton, Milton, Newton, Norwood and West Roxbury. The pipelines feed water from the Hyde Park Pump Station to higher elevations and the Bellevue Storage Tanks on Bellevue Hill.

Most of the work includes installing new 24" ductile iron water mains to replace 84 year old cast iron mains that are inadequate to handle high water pressures and can cause water quality problems. Large valves that are no longer operable will be replaced as well. The cost of the pipeline construction work awarded to Paolini Corp. is $2.33 million.

"MWRA’s staff will work with the contractor to minimize impacts to the public as a result of this work," said Michael Hornbrook, MWRA’s Chief Operating Officer. "This project will not interrupt water supply, and construction will be organized to accommodate neighborhood traffic patterns, school schedules and community events. MWRA will work with local public officials and businesses, other utilities, police, and neighborhood associations to complete the project safely and efficiently."

MWRA will also reimburse the City of Boston about $450,000 for the city to make final road restorations.

MWRA’s community relations coordinator Jeff McLaughlin has met with local elected officials and the City of Boston’s Public Works Department to review the scope of the project. MWRA meets weekly with City of Boston’s Chief of Basic City Services Mike Galvin to ensure the MWRA’s construction projects are coordinated with the city.

MWRA plans to hold a public meeting to inform the residents of Hyde Park, Roslindale, and West Roxbury about the project. An announcement will be made when the date, time, and place has been determined.

The project will take place in existing water main easements between the Bellevue Standpipes and the Hyde Park Pumping Station. Pipeline replacement begins at the Bellevue Standpipes, crosses the West Roxbury Parkway, and then continues on the following streets:

In addition, a valve will be replaced on an existing pipeline in Cornell Street.

Old water pipes in the MWRA and community systems can create taste, odor and rusty-water problems for customers resulting from build-up of deposits in the corroded pipes. As part of a long-range program to rehabilitate 200 miles of pipeline, MWRA has a target of completing 7-10 miles of pipeline rehabilitation work each year. MWRA is also providing interest-free loans for community projects involving water pipeline rehabilitation.

Rehabilitating and replacing old water pipes is an essential part of the MWRA’s Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program. Other elements of the 10 year program include: 1) comprehensive watershed protection; 2) a major new deep-rock aqueduct, the MetroWest Tunnel, to assure continuous water transmission to communities; 3) projects in the distribution system including pipeline rehabilitation and new covered storage facilities to protect water quality; and 4) construction of modern treatment facilities for enhancing water quality.

Questions about the project should be directed to MWRA’s Jeff McLaughlin: (617) 788-1170 or by e-mail Jeffrey.McLaughlin@mwra.state.ma.us.