Gardner, Mass., has launched a project to replace a key water main that has been in service for over 140 years, supplying over three-quarters of the city’s water. The $1 million project, funded by the Congressional Directed Spending program, will install a new 21,000-foot, 16-inch ductile iron main. This line connects the Crystal Lake water treatment plant to storage tanks on James Street and Reservoir Hill, providing a vital water supply link for the entire city.
According to City Engineer Rob Oliva, although the old pipe appears to be in good condition, its advanced age makes replacement essential. Mayor Michael Nicholson highlighted the critical need for the project at a groundbreaking ceremony, citing the water main's age and Gardner’s heavy reliance on it. A federal vulnerability study in the early 2000s first identified the aging pipe as a risk, leading to temporary repairs that now require a permanent solution.
The urgency of replacing this main was further underscored by a major water main break in 2021 at the Uptown Rotary, which nearly left Gardner without water. When the main ruptured, city crews were unable to shut off the flow; the valves were so old and corroded that they remained open. Emergency crews had to cut into the active pipe to install a new valve, eventually isolating the break and preventing the city from losing its water supply entirely. That was not the only water main break that year.
Construction on the new main will continue through the colder months, with minor traffic delays expected along Heywood Street.
