New Bedford Waterworks History
The property is monitored 24 hours a day, and patrolled by law enforcement. There is public access during daytime hours.
The New Bedford Water Works remains New Bedford’s single largest most expensive public works project of the 19th century. The New Bedford Water Works is sourced from the states’ largest complex of fresh water ponds, the Assawompset Pond Complex. The ponds are Assawompsett Pond, Long Pond "Lake Apponequet", Pocksha Pond "Chippopoquet", Great Quittacas Pond "Wampanquettooquash" "Quittuwashett" and Little Quittacas Pond "Cheksuquetoquash.
Presently, the largest stakeholders are the cities of New Bedford and Taunton. The ponds are the sole drinking water source for New Bedford and Taunton. In the late 1850’s the business environment in the City of New Bedford was in a serious depressed condition. Whaling was over, and oil wells in Pennsylvania delivered a staggering blow to the city economy. The thought of prosperity could be attained thru manufacturing, however a missing component was a public water supply, which the city didn’t have.
March 8 1860 The Concept Begins
The first public movement toward introducing public water into New Bedford was introduced in the city council. The order called for the appointment of a committee “to consider the practicability and expediency of introducing a permanent supply of fresh water into the city and report some plan, with the probable cost of doing so, and that said committee be allowed six months to report thereon.” The order passed and the committee was appointed.
The subject of a public water system then was referred to Mayor Isaac Taber, who supported the concept. In his inaugural address of January 7, 1862, Mayor Taber recommends delay because of the “present distracted condition of our country (Civil War), and the constantly repeated calls upon our city for relief and the comparatively large outlay by the city for the encouragement of enlistments and the defense of our harbor (building of Fort Taber).” Sadly no other movement towards a public water system occurred in 1862. Mayor Taber died in September 1862.
January 5 1863 Mayor George Howland Opposed, City Council Moves Forward
On this date, Mayor George Howland Jr. presented a discouraging aspect of the subject in his inaugural address. Mr. Howland at this time was bitterly opposed to the project. He publicly stated that if the introduction of water became an assured fact he, with most of the community, would never, never have it introduced into their homes. Later his opinion would be altered abruptly.
In late January, 1863, a city council committee was appointed to make surveys, obtain estimates, to inquire into the feasibility and cost of the operation, and to obtain the necessary authority from the General Court. The act, for supplying New Bedford with water, was passed by the legislature on April 18, 1863. It provides for commissioners to construct the works, gives power for the taking of lands and water rights, and authorizes the issue of bonds, gives authority for the city council to organize a department with full power for management. It contained a referendum clause, that all its provisions would be void unless accepted by the voters within one year. Vote was taken passed on April 14 1864
The professional services of City Surveyor George A. Briggs, and Professor George I. Chase of Brown University, were engaged by the city council committee. Professor Chase’s report concerned the physical properties of the Acushnet valley; the results determined by the chemical analysis of samples of water, there was contamination and it was caused by decaying vegetation on the bottom of reservoir site. Additionally samples were taken from several wells within the city limits all of which were found to be contaminated similar to the Acushnet supply.
One of these samples was taken from the well supplying Mayor George Howland’s residence on Sixth Street. The well was contaminated with coli-form and showed poor water quality. At this point, Mayor Howland had little objection to the introduction of water, his opposition ceased, and ironically when water flowed, he applied for its introduction into his house !
On Nov 30, 1865 the city council adopted an ordinance “to regulate the proceedings of the commission for supplying the city of New Bedford with pure water.” This commission was designated “New Bedford Water Commissioners” William W. Crapo, Warren Ladd and David B. Kempton were selected to serve for two (2) years. The board of commissioners was organized on December 13 1865 with William Crapo, Chairman and James B. Congdon clerk. George A Briggs was appointed chief Engineer and William J. McAlpine was retained as a consulting engineer.
On Nov 20, 1866, the water commissioners called to the attention of the council to the importance of making provision for the distribution of the water. The plan recommended would include an engine, engine house, a force main, a distributing reservoir and ten miles of distributing mains, in addition to the work that they were authorized to construct. The necessary authority was granted by the council on December 20, 1866.
A brief description of the work as completed is as follows: a storing reservoir had been artificially formed by the construction of a dam across the valley of the Acushnet. A conduit connects this reservoir with the receiving reservoir on Coggeshall Street. The Purchase Street pumping station was equipped with notable pumping engine, which pumped water from the receiving reservoir to the Mt. Pleasant reservoir on Mt. Pleasant Street. From this reservoir the water flows by gravity through the distributing mains of the city.
The property is monitored 24 hours a day, and patrolled by law enforcement. There is public access during daytime hours.
The New Bedford Water Works remains New Bedford’s single largest most expensive public works project of the 19th century. The New Bedford Water Works is sourced from the states’ largest complex of fresh water ponds, the Assawompset Pond Complex. The ponds are Assawompsett Pond, Long Pond "Lake Apponequet", Pocksha Pond "Chippopoquet", Great Quittacas Pond "Wampanquettooquash" "Quittuwashett" and Little Quittacas Pond "Cheksuquetoquash.
Presently, the largest stakeholders are the cities of New Bedford and Taunton. The ponds are the sole drinking water source for New Bedford and Taunton. In the late 1850’s the business environment in the City of New Bedford was in a serious depressed condition. Whaling was over, and oil wells in Pennsylvania delivered a staggering blow to the city economy. The thought of prosperity could be attained thru manufacturing, however a missing component was a public water supply, which the city didn’t have.
March 8 1860 The Concept Begins
The first public movement toward introducing public water into New Bedford was introduced in the city council. The order called for the appointment of a committee “to consider the practicability and expediency of introducing a permanent supply of fresh water into the city and report some plan, with the probable cost of doing so, and that said committee be allowed six months to report thereon.” The order passed and the committee was appointed.
The subject of a public water system then was referred to Mayor Isaac Taber, who supported the concept. In his inaugural address of January 7, 1862, Mayor Taber recommends delay because of the “present distracted condition of our country (Civil War), and the constantly repeated calls upon our city for relief and the comparatively large outlay by the city for the encouragement of enlistments and the defense of our harbor (building of Fort Taber).” Sadly no other movement towards a public water system occurred in 1862. Mayor Taber died in September 1862.
January 5 1863 Mayor George Howland Opposed, City Council Moves Forward
On this date, Mayor George Howland Jr. presented a discouraging aspect of the subject in his inaugural address. Mr. Howland at this time was bitterly opposed to the project. He publicly stated that if the introduction of water became an assured fact he, with most of the community, would never, never have it introduced into their homes. Later his opinion would be altered abruptly.
In late January, 1863, a city council committee was appointed to make surveys, obtain estimates, to inquire into the feasibility and cost of the operation, and to obtain the necessary authority from the General Court. The act, for supplying New Bedford with water, was passed by the legislature on April 18, 1863. It provides for commissioners to construct the works, gives power for the taking of lands and water rights, and authorizes the issue of bonds, gives authority for the city council to organize a department with full power for management. It contained a referendum clause, that all its provisions would be void unless accepted by the voters within one year. Vote was taken passed on April 14 1864
The professional services of City Surveyor George A. Briggs, and Professor George I. Chase of Brown University, were engaged by the city council committee. Professor Chase’s report concerned the physical properties of the Acushnet valley; the results determined by the chemical analysis of samples of water, there was contamination and it was caused by decaying vegetation on the bottom of reservoir site. Additionally samples were taken from several wells within the city limits all of which were found to be contaminated similar to the Acushnet supply.
One of these samples was taken from the well supplying Mayor George Howland’s residence on Sixth Street. The well was contaminated with coli-form and showed poor water quality. At this point, Mayor Howland had little objection to the introduction of water, his opposition ceased, and ironically when water flowed, he applied for its introduction into his house !
On Nov 30, 1865 the city council adopted an ordinance “to regulate the proceedings of the commission for supplying the city of New Bedford with pure water.” This commission was designated “New Bedford Water Commissioners” William W. Crapo, Warren Ladd and David B. Kempton were selected to serve for two (2) years. The board of commissioners was organized on December 13 1865 with William Crapo, Chairman and James B. Congdon clerk. George A Briggs was appointed chief Engineer and William J. McAlpine was retained as a consulting engineer.
On Nov 20, 1866, the water commissioners called to the attention of the council to the importance of making provision for the distribution of the water. The plan recommended would include an engine, engine house, a force main, a distributing reservoir and ten miles of distributing mains, in addition to the work that they were authorized to construct. The necessary authority was granted by the council on December 20, 1866.
A brief description of the work as completed is as follows: a storing reservoir had been artificially formed by the construction of a dam across the valley of the Acushnet. A conduit connects this reservoir with the receiving reservoir on Coggeshall Street. The Purchase Street pumping station was equipped with notable pumping engine, which pumped water from the receiving reservoir to the Mt. Pleasant reservoir on Mt. Pleasant Street. From this reservoir the water flows by gravity through the distributing mains of the city.
"Water Works Railroad"
This railroad was owned and run by the Water Works Department of the city. It operated between the Quittacas Pond Pumping Station to a connection with the New Haven RR at Braleys in Freetown between the mid-1890’s and early 1946. Length was 4.04 miles northeast from Braleys to Little Quittacas Pond. Construction of the railroad was awarded 2/27/1896 to W.L. Miller and commenced in March 1896.
The purpose of the railroad was two-fold: To aid and construct in the building of a forced water 4 ft. water main between Quittacas and High Hill reservoir and to deliver coal shipments to the pumping station. Cost of building the railroad was $73,000.00.
The above gasoline engine, purchased for $5,375.00, replaced a home-built Hornsby-Ackroyd kerosene engine that was mounted on a flatcar built in 1903. Four dump cars were purchased in 1929.
Coal known to have been purchased from: New River, Pocahontas Coal (starting the mid-thirties).
The railroad ceased operation in early 1946 when the cost of coal shipments became cheaper via truck from New Bedford.
The entire railroad including the locomotive was sold in early 1946 to Mr. George Horton of Taunton, Ma. for $9,700.00. Horton operated a salvage company and was involved in the removal of many New England branchlines. About two miles of rail and some track parts were sold to Edaville Railroad of Carver, Ma.
This railroad was owned and run by the Water Works Department of the city. It operated between the Quittacas Pond Pumping Station to a connection with the New Haven RR at Braleys in Freetown between the mid-1890’s and early 1946. Length was 4.04 miles northeast from Braleys to Little Quittacas Pond. Construction of the railroad was awarded 2/27/1896 to W.L. Miller and commenced in March 1896.
The purpose of the railroad was two-fold: To aid and construct in the building of a forced water 4 ft. water main between Quittacas and High Hill reservoir and to deliver coal shipments to the pumping station. Cost of building the railroad was $73,000.00.
The above gasoline engine, purchased for $5,375.00, replaced a home-built Hornsby-Ackroyd kerosene engine that was mounted on a flatcar built in 1903. Four dump cars were purchased in 1929.
Coal known to have been purchased from: New River, Pocahontas Coal (starting the mid-thirties).
The railroad ceased operation in early 1946 when the cost of coal shipments became cheaper via truck from New Bedford.
The entire railroad including the locomotive was sold in early 1946 to Mr. George Horton of Taunton, Ma. for $9,700.00. Horton operated a salvage company and was involved in the removal of many New England branchlines. About two miles of rail and some track parts were sold to Edaville Railroad of Carver, Ma.
New Bedford Water Department workers (1886) from left to right, first row: Robert C. P. Coggeshall, Frank M. Ashley, Fred Lyng, Domingos Sylvia, George Smith, Frank DeMello, Napoleon Hennier, John Hennier, John C. DeMello, Sr., Jack Murphy, Patrick McCullough, John C. DeMello, Jr., Joseph Rose; back row, left to right, some unidentified: Maurice Downey Patrick Reardon, Michael O'Brien, Thomas Rose, Ventura Bettencourt, Joseph Antone, John Carroll and Louis Richardson. The dog was Frank M. Ashley's.
November 25 1869 Water Flows !!
For the first time water was delivered through the distributing pipes, resulting in a display of water streams from a hydrant on Purchase Street. The first application for water service was requested by William J. Rotch for his Orchard Street home.
Water Commissioners Position Expires, Acushnet Water Board Established.
The term of Water Commissioners expired November 30, 1869 when the Acushnet Water Board was created by ordinance for the care and management of the New Bedford Water Works. This board consisted of five (5) members, three (3) at large with the mayor, George B. Richmond and C. M. Peirce Jr. president of the city council. Messrs. Crapo, Kempton and Ladd became the first members at large, and George A. Briggs was elected the first superintendent.
In 1882 the Acushnet Water Board changed the name to New Bedford Water Board.
Water Shortage 1877
A severe water shortage in November 1877 caused much anxiety. It was determined a necessary move was needed to prevent this again, the move was to obtain water from Long or Little Quittacus Ponds. Extensive research was conducted to locate possible routes from both ponds. On April 13 1878 the Massachusetts General Court passed an Act authorizing the City of New Bedford, the use of water from either pond under certain restrictions. On August 1 1878 The New Bedford city council authorized the water board to use its discretion in the selection of ponds, and to take water therefrom whenever they deem it necessary.
Expansion of Water System 1893
The original water works were built for a maximum capacity of five million gallons. By 1893 water distribution original system was partly worn out, and in many respects the system didn't meet the needs. On May 5 1893 The water board sent to the city government a request for authority to proceed with securing all necessary options to purchase and procure property, and plans for the purpose of providing for an increase in the water supply. This authority was granted.
Quittacas Water Treatment Plant Completed 1899
On July 10 1899 at 6 A.M. The pump house at “Quittacas” was now operating the water system for the City of New Bedford. Additionally Little Quittacas Pond becomes the source of water for the entire system. The water that once came from the Acushnet system remains a reserve supply.
High Hill Reservoir, Dartmouth 1899
Now that Quittacas pumping station is in operation, additional reservoir was needed. Once the water is taken from the ponds, thru the pumping station, the water is forced eight (8) miles away to the highest point in Dartmouth - which is called the High Hill Reservoir. The reservoir was constructed large enough to hold a large reserve of water, a capacity of 65,000,000 gallons, built in two parts with a dividing wall between. This reservoir was then to be connected with the city’s present distributing system. The cost $1,200,000
The reservoir was a little different from some others which have been built. The embankments were built very slowly by very gradual layers of earth, then covering the whole surface of the reservoir with concrete, six inches deep on the horizontal portions and nine inches thick on the embankment. The water was taken into the reservoir on the middle of the east side and taken out on the middle of the west side. The design can take water out of either half, a very strong dividing wall, which is heavy enough to allow one part of the reservoir to be used at a time. The dividing wall is built of such a height, that, when the reservoir is full, the water will flow over the top of it and appear as one large sheet of water.
Securing Water Rights
The City of New Bedford went before the legislature for authority to take the waters of the Middleboro ponds, Taunton had already been granted the right to take water from Assawompsett Pond, but with a provision. A reserve of water was to be maintained by raising the dam and the retaining shores of the ponds, so that the water taken should only be from these created reserves, and the normal flow of water through the Nemasket River would be undiminished.
The first proposed bill presented to the legislature was written with a similar provision, but was denied. A second proposed bill asking for all the water in Little and Great Quittacus, that a dam should be constructed between Great Quittacus and Pocksha Pond, which is really a part of Assawampsett, this dam should be so constructed that the surplus water from Quittacus might flow north into Pocksha,—but under no circumstance could any Pocksha or Assawampsett water ever flow back into Quittacus. This is plan was approved by the legislature.
Securing Land to Protect the Water Supply
When the Water Works was being constructed there was no thought about the necessity of purchasing land around the ponds to protect the water supply from contamination. The state board of health was originally thought to be the protector of the water supply, but their authority was limited to only addressing issues relating to contamination.
It was suggested that cities purchase the land around the water supply when it became available to purchase, however the cost was an issue. The city could pay current value of the land but in many cases once the owners heard the city wanted to purchase the land the cost became inflated. The city had only allocated funds for land-taking when it was tied to construction.
A plan was developed where the city bought the land secretly through agents and we quietly passed the bills, the mayor approved the special audit and city treasurer paid it. It was a means to buy land at a reasonable cost.
There was a gentleman, named Mr. Turner, who resided on the shores of Great Quittacus Pond, who had conceived the idea of controlling this pond himself. He had begun to acquire the lands, and had become the owner of quite a portion of this shore by actual purchase. He had pursued this objective and had secured options on quite a number of other parcels along the shore. Mr. Turner’s desire was to fully protect the shores, and had made great process in his land-holding plan until he died.
Attorney Henry Wyman represented Mr. Turner's estate. The city extended an offer to purchase all of Mr. Turner's land, however the estate only owned a small portion of the shore, but they possessed valuable options on others parcels, which might have lapsed. The City of New Bedford made an arrangement with Attorney Wyman where he acted as an agent on behalf of the city and settled the outstanding land options, then sold the land to the city for the original price.
Other parcels were purchased in a similar way, and when the fact was disclosed that the City of New Bedford was the actual buyer, it had acquired three-fourths of all the shore on both ponds.
When word spread that the City of New Bedford had been anonymously and mysteriously buying lands about the pond, immediately the value of all the remaining land went up. Some of the farms, whose owners had really offered them for sale only a year or so before, immediately jumped in value. The parcels around Great and Little Quittacus Ponds amounts to over 1500 acres and the cost was about $100,000. Today the watershed contains over 4,000 acres.
The City of New Bedford never exercised the power of eminent domain, to take lands needed for the water works, yet agreed with 181 separate owners of the different parcels taken; the city was sued by only one aggrieved individual, and that case never got to court because he withdrew and accepted the amount originally offered.
Coggeshall Street Pumping Station
The pumping station and reservoir was located at Coggeshall and Purchase Street. A large storage reservoir was constructed to hold the water to be pumped throughout the city. This reservoir was on the east side of the train tracks between Coggeshall (north), Bowditch, now called Ashley Blvd) (east) and Cedar Grove (south). A “Distribution Reservoir” was situated about ¼ mile west of the pumping station between Highland and Mt. Pleasant Streets. This reservoir was located at one of the highest elevations in the city and helped to provide water pressure. This arrangement was in place until 1899 when Quittacas Pond was acquired by the Water Works. Both reservoirs were both later filled in and the land redeveloped. The Coggeshall Street station was demolished in 1974. Today its the site of the
Hayden-McFadden School.
The water works did indeed spur industrial development in New Bedford. Just a short time after its completion, the Potomska Mill opened, the second successful mill established in New Bedford. The growth and resulting prosperity of the textile industry would dominate the affairs of New Bedford until its decline and fall after World War I.
New Water Treatment Plant 1977
In response to more stringent water quality regulations, a secondary treatment plant was completed at Quittacas in 1977. This facility includes sedimentation tanks and the chemical treatment processes used to increase water quality to its highest level since the original plant went online. This facility monitors every aspect of water quality, chlorination, and hydrology.
For the first time water was delivered through the distributing pipes, resulting in a display of water streams from a hydrant on Purchase Street. The first application for water service was requested by William J. Rotch for his Orchard Street home.
Water Commissioners Position Expires, Acushnet Water Board Established.
The term of Water Commissioners expired November 30, 1869 when the Acushnet Water Board was created by ordinance for the care and management of the New Bedford Water Works. This board consisted of five (5) members, three (3) at large with the mayor, George B. Richmond and C. M. Peirce Jr. president of the city council. Messrs. Crapo, Kempton and Ladd became the first members at large, and George A. Briggs was elected the first superintendent.
In 1882 the Acushnet Water Board changed the name to New Bedford Water Board.
Water Shortage 1877
A severe water shortage in November 1877 caused much anxiety. It was determined a necessary move was needed to prevent this again, the move was to obtain water from Long or Little Quittacus Ponds. Extensive research was conducted to locate possible routes from both ponds. On April 13 1878 the Massachusetts General Court passed an Act authorizing the City of New Bedford, the use of water from either pond under certain restrictions. On August 1 1878 The New Bedford city council authorized the water board to use its discretion in the selection of ponds, and to take water therefrom whenever they deem it necessary.
Expansion of Water System 1893
The original water works were built for a maximum capacity of five million gallons. By 1893 water distribution original system was partly worn out, and in many respects the system didn't meet the needs. On May 5 1893 The water board sent to the city government a request for authority to proceed with securing all necessary options to purchase and procure property, and plans for the purpose of providing for an increase in the water supply. This authority was granted.
Quittacas Water Treatment Plant Completed 1899
On July 10 1899 at 6 A.M. The pump house at “Quittacas” was now operating the water system for the City of New Bedford. Additionally Little Quittacas Pond becomes the source of water for the entire system. The water that once came from the Acushnet system remains a reserve supply.
High Hill Reservoir, Dartmouth 1899
Now that Quittacas pumping station is in operation, additional reservoir was needed. Once the water is taken from the ponds, thru the pumping station, the water is forced eight (8) miles away to the highest point in Dartmouth - which is called the High Hill Reservoir. The reservoir was constructed large enough to hold a large reserve of water, a capacity of 65,000,000 gallons, built in two parts with a dividing wall between. This reservoir was then to be connected with the city’s present distributing system. The cost $1,200,000
The reservoir was a little different from some others which have been built. The embankments were built very slowly by very gradual layers of earth, then covering the whole surface of the reservoir with concrete, six inches deep on the horizontal portions and nine inches thick on the embankment. The water was taken into the reservoir on the middle of the east side and taken out on the middle of the west side. The design can take water out of either half, a very strong dividing wall, which is heavy enough to allow one part of the reservoir to be used at a time. The dividing wall is built of such a height, that, when the reservoir is full, the water will flow over the top of it and appear as one large sheet of water.
Securing Water Rights
The City of New Bedford went before the legislature for authority to take the waters of the Middleboro ponds, Taunton had already been granted the right to take water from Assawompsett Pond, but with a provision. A reserve of water was to be maintained by raising the dam and the retaining shores of the ponds, so that the water taken should only be from these created reserves, and the normal flow of water through the Nemasket River would be undiminished.
The first proposed bill presented to the legislature was written with a similar provision, but was denied. A second proposed bill asking for all the water in Little and Great Quittacus, that a dam should be constructed between Great Quittacus and Pocksha Pond, which is really a part of Assawampsett, this dam should be so constructed that the surplus water from Quittacus might flow north into Pocksha,—but under no circumstance could any Pocksha or Assawampsett water ever flow back into Quittacus. This is plan was approved by the legislature.
Securing Land to Protect the Water Supply
When the Water Works was being constructed there was no thought about the necessity of purchasing land around the ponds to protect the water supply from contamination. The state board of health was originally thought to be the protector of the water supply, but their authority was limited to only addressing issues relating to contamination.
It was suggested that cities purchase the land around the water supply when it became available to purchase, however the cost was an issue. The city could pay current value of the land but in many cases once the owners heard the city wanted to purchase the land the cost became inflated. The city had only allocated funds for land-taking when it was tied to construction.
A plan was developed where the city bought the land secretly through agents and we quietly passed the bills, the mayor approved the special audit and city treasurer paid it. It was a means to buy land at a reasonable cost.
There was a gentleman, named Mr. Turner, who resided on the shores of Great Quittacus Pond, who had conceived the idea of controlling this pond himself. He had begun to acquire the lands, and had become the owner of quite a portion of this shore by actual purchase. He had pursued this objective and had secured options on quite a number of other parcels along the shore. Mr. Turner’s desire was to fully protect the shores, and had made great process in his land-holding plan until he died.
Attorney Henry Wyman represented Mr. Turner's estate. The city extended an offer to purchase all of Mr. Turner's land, however the estate only owned a small portion of the shore, but they possessed valuable options on others parcels, which might have lapsed. The City of New Bedford made an arrangement with Attorney Wyman where he acted as an agent on behalf of the city and settled the outstanding land options, then sold the land to the city for the original price.
Other parcels were purchased in a similar way, and when the fact was disclosed that the City of New Bedford was the actual buyer, it had acquired three-fourths of all the shore on both ponds.
When word spread that the City of New Bedford had been anonymously and mysteriously buying lands about the pond, immediately the value of all the remaining land went up. Some of the farms, whose owners had really offered them for sale only a year or so before, immediately jumped in value. The parcels around Great and Little Quittacus Ponds amounts to over 1500 acres and the cost was about $100,000. Today the watershed contains over 4,000 acres.
The City of New Bedford never exercised the power of eminent domain, to take lands needed for the water works, yet agreed with 181 separate owners of the different parcels taken; the city was sued by only one aggrieved individual, and that case never got to court because he withdrew and accepted the amount originally offered.
Coggeshall Street Pumping Station
The pumping station and reservoir was located at Coggeshall and Purchase Street. A large storage reservoir was constructed to hold the water to be pumped throughout the city. This reservoir was on the east side of the train tracks between Coggeshall (north), Bowditch, now called Ashley Blvd) (east) and Cedar Grove (south). A “Distribution Reservoir” was situated about ¼ mile west of the pumping station between Highland and Mt. Pleasant Streets. This reservoir was located at one of the highest elevations in the city and helped to provide water pressure. This arrangement was in place until 1899 when Quittacas Pond was acquired by the Water Works. Both reservoirs were both later filled in and the land redeveloped. The Coggeshall Street station was demolished in 1974. Today its the site of the
Hayden-McFadden School.
The water works did indeed spur industrial development in New Bedford. Just a short time after its completion, the Potomska Mill opened, the second successful mill established in New Bedford. The growth and resulting prosperity of the textile industry would dominate the affairs of New Bedford until its decline and fall after World War I.
New Water Treatment Plant 1977
In response to more stringent water quality regulations, a secondary treatment plant was completed at Quittacas in 1977. This facility includes sedimentation tanks and the chemical treatment processes used to increase water quality to its highest level since the original plant went online. This facility monitors every aspect of water quality, chlorination, and hydrology.
45-Star United States Flag
On July 10 1899, the day Quittacas Water Treatment Plant began operations, this flag was the first to fly over the plant. The flag is encased and is mounted on the wall in the lobby of the current pumping station.
On July 10 1899, the day Quittacas Water Treatment Plant began operations, this flag was the first to fly over the plant. The flag is encased and is mounted on the wall in the lobby of the current pumping station.
Adoniram S. Negus
On Feb 17 1886 Adoniram Stone Negus was appointed chief pumping engineer of the New Bedford Water Works. He resided in a house just south of Little Quittacas Pond on the Water Works property. He remained Chief Pumping Engineer until his death on Sept 19 1922 at home. His house was moved from the Water Works down the street in Lakeville, and remains privately owned today. The roadway, Negus Way, thru the treatment plant was named in his honor.
Mr. Negus and his wife Isadore Louise Richmond Negus are listed as being interred at Peckham West Cemetery in New Bedford, verified by their death certificates. The cemetery was once private but is now maintained by the City of New Bedford, who also holds all the burial records. Oddly, neither one of them is listed in the records as being buried in the cemetery.
On Feb 17 1886 Adoniram Stone Negus was appointed chief pumping engineer of the New Bedford Water Works. He resided in a house just south of Little Quittacas Pond on the Water Works property. He remained Chief Pumping Engineer until his death on Sept 19 1922 at home. His house was moved from the Water Works down the street in Lakeville, and remains privately owned today. The roadway, Negus Way, thru the treatment plant was named in his honor.
Mr. Negus and his wife Isadore Louise Richmond Negus are listed as being interred at Peckham West Cemetery in New Bedford, verified by their death certificates. The cemetery was once private but is now maintained by the City of New Bedford, who also holds all the burial records. Oddly, neither one of them is listed in the records as being buried in the cemetery.