December 18, 2001

MWRA Approves Water System Repair Financing for Milton

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority has approved $1,354,360 in financing for Milton to replace 3.4 miles of local water pipeline.

"This work on the Milton water system helps to immediately improve water quality and system reliability by accelerating our program of relining and replacing aging cast-iron pipelines in the system," said Assistant DPW Director Branch Lane. "MWRA is making large improvements in the regional system over the next few years and we are working to keep pace with the Authority by implementing major improvements to the Milton water system."

The Milton finance deal results from MWRA’s Local Pipeline Assistance Program, which provides no-interest loans for specified water projects to secure water quality. The MWRA’s $25 million annual program is allocated to 40 water system communities based on system needs.

"The program is designed to further the partnership between MWRA and the communities in bringing high quality drinking water from the source to the customer’s tap," said Frederick A. Laskey, MWRA Executive Director. "Providing technical and financing assistance to local water and sewer departments is a key part of this partnership."

Construction work will be conducted through Fall of 2002 on Merjwood Drive, Brook Road (Windmere to Adams), Reedsdale (Central to Centre), Thacher Street (Central to Clapp), Warren Avenue (Thacher/Kelly Field to Orono), Reedsdale (Centre to Randolph), Reedsdale (Buckingham to Martin), Riverside Avenue, Thistle Avenue, Courtland Circle, Pillon Road, Bonad Road, Concord Avenue and Dana Drive.

Rehabilitation of the larger MWRA water pipes and smaller community pipelines is a key component of MWRA’s Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program, a 10-year effort to strengthen the regional water system from reservoir to the customer’s tap. The program also includes watershed protection projects, a new water treatment plant, the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel, and several covered storage tanks.

In addition to the water pipeline projects, Milton has made full use of the MWRA’s grant/loan program for local sewer projects designed to reduce infiltration and inflow that unnecessarily stress local and MWRA sewer systems.