Water flowing to Bridgewater, providing aid during water emergency

MIDDLEBORO — After two days of construction, the temporary water line to help Bridgewater during a water emergency was completed last week, allowing water to flow on Sunday, Jan. 11. 

The temporary water line was approved during a Dec. 8 Select Board meeting, where Bridgewater officials asked the board for water assistance during a town-wide supply emergency due to contamination.

The new water line around the vicinity of 0 Plymouth St. in Middleboro, became active on Sunday morning,  As of Monday morning, more than 345,000 gallons of water has flowed to the neighboring town, Middleboro Water Superintendent Michael Bumpus said.

Now water is flowing, Bridgewater has the supply for 90 days. The line will supply Bridgewater with about 250,000 gallons of water per day. There is no extension to the water agreement at this time. 

Middleboro’s additional water supply will be used to support Bridgewater as it needs time to clean and flush pipes to rid the town’s water system of dangerous amounts of manganese — a mineral with harmful neurological effects when consumed in high concentrations. 

Bumpus said Middleboro residents should call the water department if any discoloration is found in their water. He said the department has only received one call  — from Dave’s Diner on West Grove Street — since activating the line and the department fixed the discoloration by Monday morning. 

Similar to Middleboro’s agreement with Carver, the town will sell water at 1.5 times its highest rate when charging the neighboring town. Unlike the agreement with Carver, however, this is a temporary measure to assist Bridgewater as it fixes its water system. 

The revenue collected through the agreement will go back to the water department and will fund future projects.

“Any discoloration and any change in services, definitely give the water department a call,” Bumpus said.

To report any water issues, the department can be reached by phone at: 508-946-2482.