Earlier this month, a water main break in Maynard resulted in the loss of more than 1 million gallons of water, placing significant strain on the town’s water supply. Maynard borders West Concord, home to OARS’ headquarters, and is one of the 36 municipalities within our watershed. OARS Board Member Julia Flanary, who serves as Environmental Compliance & Data Manager for the Maynard Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division, provided an account of the incident and the town’s response.

In the early morning hours of Thursday, September 3, automated monitoring systems alerted staff to a rapid decline in water storage tank levels. Operators responded promptly and initiated emergency protocols. After inspecting the town’s two primary storage tanks to rule them out as the source, crews began a field search for the break. Because much of Maynard’s water infrastructure lies beneath major roadways, main breaks are typically identified quickly and reported by police or residents.

Several circumstances, however, delayed detection in this case. The break occurred near the driveway of an apartment complex during a period of minimal traffic, and those who observed it were unaware that such incidents should be reported to police, who can dispatch DPW personnel. Once DPW crews isolated the affected line, the property owners, who were responsible for the pipe, completed the repair. Water service to the area was restored approximately ten hours later.

Officials estimate that the break occurred several hours before it was discovered. Although the precise cause is difficult to determine, the failure is attributed to aging infrastructure. The pipe was constructed of cast iron, a material that becomes increasingly brittle over time and is susceptible to failure under fluctuations in pressure or temperature. Such incidents are not uncommon; as in many Massachusetts communities, a substantial portion of Maynard’s water infrastructure was installed between 1899 and the 1920s.

Maynard’s two storage tanks have a combined capacity of nearly 4 million gallons and serve both as emergency reserves and as a means of maintaining system pressure. While the loss of 1 million gallons constituted an emergency in its own right, it followed a series of earlier demands on the system this summer, including a four-alarm fire several weeks prior and a significant main break on Walnut Street. These events were compounded by ongoing drought conditions across Massachusetts throughout the summer, as well as severe drought that Maynard has experienced for several years. In response, the Town implemented a five-day emergency Critical Level 4 water ban to replenish storage while maintaining service to all customers.

A combination of factors contributed to the town’s rapid recovery. Residents complied with the outdoor watering ban and data showed residents reduced their indoor water use. The incident also coincided with Labor Day weekend when many residents were traveling. Within five days of the break, the town’s drinking water supply had returned to normal levels. Sufficient supply was restored within that period, and the Town returned to a Critical Level 2 Restriction as the season transitioned into fall. Julia credits the swift recovery in large part to the collective efforts of Maynard residents, whose individual choices supported the greater good of the community.

For more information about the system, please visit the Maynard DPW Water & Sewer Division website: https://www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/257/Water-Sewer or reach out to Julia at Town of Maynard DPW by emailing dpw@townofmaynard.net.