Did you know that the story of Cambridge is intertwined with its water sources? Cambridge Reservoir Unnamed Tributary 3 near Lexington plays a silent but vital role. It is a part of the complex water system. This system has quenched the city’s thirst for centuries. Let’s explore the story of Cambridge’s water.
In the early days of Cambridge, settlers didn’t worry about water. Streams like Menotomy River and Sachem Brook provided plenty of pure water. By 1700, a Water Control Committee managed these resources. They even built a weir on the Menotomy River for fishing. The fish were shared among settlers and Indians.
The Cambridgeport Aqueduct Company received the first Water Works Charter in 1837. It brought water from springs in Somerville through wooden logs. Other areas relied on wells. Some areas couldn’t be settled due to lack of well water. Fire protection was basically nonexistent.
Cambridge was a very different place in 1846. It lacked a proper sewage system. Streetlights were rare. Roads were rough and sidewalks nonexistent. Cows roamed the streets on weekdays. But 1846 was also the year Cambridge became a city.
In 1865, the City of Cambridge bought all waterworks for $291,000. This included Fresh Pond and surrounding land. It also included a reservoir on Reservoir Street.
Cambridge expanded its water resources in 1887. It gained the right to take water from Stony Brook and its tributaries. This gave Cambridge 22 square miles of watershed. The city’s population was about 60,000 then.
Cambridge continued to invest in its water system. In 1892, it acquired land for Hobbs Brook Reservoir. By 1896, Cambridge boasted an abundant supply of excellent water. Chester W. Kingsley was known as the father of Cambridge water. He and others served the city without pay.
By 1897, Cambridge had Fresh Pond, Stony Brook Reservoir, Hobbs Brook Reservoir and Payson Park Reservoir. The total land area for water resources was about 1,416 acres.
A new water purification plant was completed in 1923. It was dedicated with much fanfare at Kingsley Park. Cambridge now had the largest water purification plant in New England.
To protect its water supply, Cambridge made some smart moves. In 2024, the city purchased a 31-acre plot near the Hobbs Brook Reservoir. This prevented a solar panel farm from being built. The city argued that the solar farm could harm the water quality.
Cambridge is connected to the Metropolitan District Commission’s water system. This ensures a backup water supply. Water from your tap might come from various sources. These sources are Hobbs Reservoir, Stony Brook, or even Quabbin Reservoir. Regardless of the source, it is pure and potable.
Cambridge Reservoir Unnamed Tributary 3 near Lexington represents a piece of this ongoing story. It reminds us of the importance of protecting our water resources for future generations. The Cambridge Water Board continues to seek new water sources. They are also improving distribution and promoting conservation. Planning is just as important as finding more water.