City celebrates extension of municipal water service along Route 202A

Ian Rohrbacher and Peter Nourse pour the first glasses of water for attendees (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - City and state officials gathered to celebrate the completion of a major water infrastructure improvement project earlier this week.

The City, with assistance from grant funding and loans, invested $13.5 million over the course of the last six years to extend clean drinking water service to residents along New Hampshire Route 202A. The project involved the installation of over 20,000 linear feet of water main and the erection of the tallest glass fused to steel elevated water storage tank in New Hampshire in support of improving water quality and supply in the community.

Historically, poor water quality in private wells along Route 202A and adjacent City streets drove the need for this project. Testing of these private wells indicated high concentrations of contaminants including manganese at levels 15 times greater and iron at levels 60 times greater than recommended. Part of the project area had previously identified MtBE, a gasoline-related contaminant, in private water supplies. At the time of design, these homes relied on expensive, state-maintained point-of-use water treatment systems. In addition to water quality issues, private well supply in the project area was significantly limited during statewide seasonal drought conditions.

The project included the construction of an elevated storage tank as well as new water main along New Hampshire Route 202A, Winkley Farm Drive, Bickford Road, and Fiddlehead Lane.

Over 64% of the project was paid for using grants.