About this Project:
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is in the process of starting a project to replace a functionally compromised Section 61 water main valve located between the Ed Burns Arena & Ice Skating Rink in the Town of Arlington and the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, and a blow-off valve located at the intersection of Forest Street and Summer Street. Importantly, the replacement of these valves will provide the region, including the Towns of Arlington, Lexington, and Winchester, with critical water system reliability.
The work is expected to be completed in mid-February 2024, weather and other circumstances permitting, and will occur Monday through Friday between 7:00AM and 3:00PM. The MWRA does not anticipate any significant impacts on the operations of the rink, nearby bike path, or the basketball courts in the area, which will remain fully available for public use while the project is underway.
Additionally, a lane will be closed at the Forest and Summer Streets intersection to create a safe work zone for crews to complete the project. A police detail and proper signage will be on site to assist motorists through the area while work is underway. During off-work hours (nights and weekends), iron plates will be secured to enable normal vehicle usage of the roadway.
Please note, there will be some construction noise associated with the project; however, it will be intermittent daily. While work is underway, homeowners and businesses are not expected to lose water service, although some discoloration or slightly reduced pressure may be possible when the pipeline is isolated for maintenance. If discolored water occurs, please let faucets run for a short period of time (usually only five to ten minutes) until water clarity returns.
February 22, 2024
- The MWRA has completed repairs, testing, and disinfecting procedures of the water pipeline. The Authority will now reactivate the line today, Thursday, February 22, 2024.
- Residents and businesses may experience discolored water for the next day or two. Should this occur, please let faucets run for a short period of time (usually only five to ten minutes) until clarity returns before drinking water or using for dishes, laundry, or other household needs.
- Important to note, both access pits (the one at the Ed Burns Arena & Ice Skating Rink and at the other at the Forest and Summer Street intersection) have been closed and backfilled. Final paving of these locations will occur in the coming months once seasonal conditions allow.
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February 14, 2024
- The MWRA continues to make progress and is within the final stages of bringing the water main pipeline online. At this time, crews expect to complete the work by the end of next week and the return the system to normal service.
- During the upcoming disinfection procedure of the pipeline, residents and businesses near the Forest Street area may experience discolored water. Should this occur, please let faucets run for a short period of time (usually only five to ten minutes) until clarity returns before drinking water or using for dishes, laundry, or other household needs.
- Furthermore, residents and businesses may also experience temporary slight loss in water pressure; however, that is also expected to be isolated to the immediate area, and the Authority continues to monitor pressure readings.
- Once work has been completed, the access pit located at the Ed Burns Arena & Ice Skating Rink will be closed. Final paving of both this site and at the Forest and Summer Street intersection, which was previously closed, will occur in the coming months once seasonal conditions allow.
Sign up for electronic project notifications and updates through our Everbridge service.
February 6, 2024
- Working with the Towns of Arlington, Lexington, and Winchester, the MWRA is planning to activate an interconnection between MWRA and Arlington along Massachusetts Avenue later today.
- This action will ensure residents do not experience a loss of water service while enabling the Authority to make the necessary repairs to the Section 61 pipeline.
- With the activation of the interconnection, residents may again experience some discoloration in their water. Should this occur, please let faucets run for a short period of time (usually only five to ten minutes) until clarity returns before drinking water or using for dishes, laundry, or other household needs.
- Additionally, residents may experience a temporary slight loss in water pressure; however, that is not expected to be widespread, and will likely be isolated to those residents living on the west side of Arlington.
Sign up for electronic project notifications and updates through our Everbridge service.
February 2, 2024
- On Thursday, February 1, 2024, the MWRA finalized the blow-off valve repair work at the Forest and Summer Street intersection in the Town of Arlington.
- However, while working on the replacement valve located at the Ed Burns Arena & Ice Skating Rink yesterday evening, a water main broke. Crews worked expeditiously to isolate and stabilize the pipeline.
- Residents and businesses may experience minor water pressure loss or discolored water; loss of water service is not expected. Important to note, if discoloration occurs, please let faucets run for a short period of time (usually only five to ten minutes) until clarity returns before drinking water or using for dishes, laundry, or other household needs.
- Crews are assessing the issue in order to quickly make repairs to the pipeline. Work will occur to about 9:00PM this evening, and then continue Saturday morning; there might be potential work on Sunday and/or into next week prior to the water system returning to normal service.
- Once repairs have been completed, both the Forest and Summer Street intersection and the ice skating rink work sites will be backfilled and restored/repaved.
Should you have any further questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Troy Wall, MWRA Community Relations Liaison, at Troy.Wall@MWRA.com or (617) 305-5762.
January 30, 2024
The mainline valve located between the Ed Burns Arena & Ice Skating Rink in the Town of Arlington and the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway has been excavated, shored, insulated, and temporarily covered, and now the MWRA is in the process of finishing the shoring for the blow-off assembly at the Forest Street & Summer Street intersection this week. Following coordination with the Towns of Arlington, Lexington, and Winchester, the MWRA has scheduled a planned shutdown of the pipeline on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at approximately 8:00AM. The planned shutdown is expected to last approximately eight to ten hours.
Residents and businesses may experience some discoloration or slightly reduced water pressure when the pipeline is isolated for maintenance. If discolored water occurs, please let faucets run for a short period of time (usually only five to ten minutes) until clarity returns before drinking water or using for dishes, laundry, or other household needs. Furthermore, water service is expected to continue to be provided during the shutdown.
Should you have any further questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Troy Wall, MWRA Community Relations Liaison, at Troy.Wall@MWRA.com or (617) 305-5762.
