March was one of the wettest months in history. Rainfall, at times, for days on end was torrential.
All this rain had an impact on the local water situation, according to Lynn Water and Sewer executive director Daniel F. O’Neill.
O’Neill reports that the four reservoir water supply system used by the city is functioning as it should.
In fact, the system is at 88 per cent capacity, which, according to O’Neill is a nice place to be.
Lynn uses 10.8 to 11 million gallons of water daily.
For a short time during March during the rains, water cumulation in the reservoir system outstripped use, resulting in the Saugus, Lynnfield, Peabody and Lynn system reaching capacity.
At capacity, the system holds 4.8 billion gallons of water.
Capacity levels continue to be ahead of where they usually are at this time of year.
Because the LWSC uses only the water that is drawn down everyday, an excess of water does not lead to savings of any kind.
All the water used must go through the purifying system – and the purifying system needs labor to be maintained 24/7.
In fact, on March 28, the reservoirs in places reached beyond capacity.
They are built in such a way that overflow is controlled by spillways that lead to piping systems that draw the water to the Atlantic Ocean.
The coming summer should be without a water emergency as long as rainfall remains seasonal.
With usage at 11 million gallons a day, even at capacity, the leadership of the LWSC is always thinking ahead – attempting to combine conservation with common sense to maintain delivery of clean water uninterrupted.
Thank you Mr. O’Neill and the 68 person workforce that makes things work the way they ought to at the LWSC.
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