The original distribution system dates back to 1948 and is now made up of approximately 43 miles of water mains. The system also includes fire hydrants, residential and commercial connections, and meters.
The water pumped from the town’s three wells travels to the storage tank, which is located on the top of Prospect Hill. The current tank was built in 1981 and holds 1.27 million gallons of water. The storage tank, at a height of approximately 277 ft. above sea level, provides the pressure for the town’s water system. This is one of the main components of the town’s system because without adequate pressure, fire protection is not possible.
As the water leaves the tank transmission line, it branches out in to several trunk lines throughout the town. In most cases, each street has its own water main with fire hydrants placed at locations determined by the Fire Department. On a bi-annual basis, the water department flushes all hydrants and mains as an ongoing effort to remove any sediment and organics that have deposited in the mains. This process usually takes about two weeks, and also gives us a great opportunity to check conditions of the working parts of our system, in case of a fire or water main leak.
Service connections branch off of the bigger water mains in the street, and inside each commercial or residential building is the water meter. The Rowley Water Department has just undergone the enormous task of replacing all water meters in town with a new remote reading system. We will now be generating bills and reports on a monthly basis, which also allows us to detect leaks that may be costing you. It is another step forward to bring our distribution system into the future.
Our emergency crew is available 24/7 for any and all water related emergencies. Don’t hesitate to call if you spot a problem.