Whispers of a bygone era linger at Sawins Pond. This man-made lake in Watertown Massachusetts holds a story of industry recreation and environmental challenges. Originally a small brook Sawins Pond took shape in the late 1800s thanks to George W Sawin. He created a dam flooding the area to create a larger pond. His Glen Hotel overlooking Sawins Pond was initially a popular resort. Guests enjoyed boating and skating on its waters. However the hotel’s reputation later suffered. It became known as a place of questionable activities.
The pond’s story takes a turn with the arrival of the Hood Rubber Company in 1896. They used the pond for industrial purposes and for years it provided cooling water for their rubber factory. The company’s activities ultimately led to significant pollution. Scores of barrels filled with rubber scraps were deposited into Sawins Pond. This practice continued for decades.
Later the B F Goodrich Corporation acquired the Hood Rubber Company. The legacy of industrial pollution worsened when a major spill occurred in 1982. Over 1100 gallons of PCBs a toxic substance leaked from a truck into a storm drain. Much of this contaminated water ended up in Sawins Pond. While some remediation efforts took place much of the contamination remains impacting the pond and Charles River even today.
NSTAR a major energy company bears the responsibility for this PCB pollution. They operated a facility nearby and refuse to fully fund the cleanup. This historical fact highlights a complex environmental issue that continues to plague Sawins Pond and its surrounding ecosystem. Today Sawins Pond stands as a reminder of the complex interplay between industrial development recreational uses and environmental consequences. The pond remains a part of Watertown’s history and its environmental fate remains a subject of ongoing discussion and debate. The ongoing efforts to restore this once beautiful spot continue. The fight to reclaim Sawins Pond reflects a larger struggle to balance progress with environmental preservation.