Topsfield Public Works

The Water Department has a sizable amount of infrastructure, most of which is buried and/or out of sight. The major components of the system include:

Water mains - The system contains approximately 50 miles of water mains ranging in size from 6 to 12 inches in diameter. Replacement cost for these mains is approximately one million dollars per mile. We expect 24 miles of mains will need to be replaced by 2050.

Storage tanks - We have two, ground level concrete storage tanks. Each tank holds a half million gallons of water with a replacement cost of approximately one dollar per gallon. The larger the tank is the less it costs per gallon to construct but one dollar per gallon is considered a good budgetary number. One storage tank was built in 1949 and rehabilitated in 1972. The other tank was built in 1972. The older tank will likely need to be replaced by 2050. An additional tank may be required in the southern part of town depending on development patterns.

Water sources - We have two water sources including wells, pumps and treatment systems. Each source is valued at approximately $1,000,000. One source was constructed in 1949. The well field was expanded in the 1960's and the mechanical equipment in the station was replaced about 10 years ago. The other station was built in 1969.

Control System - The control system monitors and logs various system values including pump flows, storage tank levels and water quality parameters. It tracks these values 24 hours per day and notifies us of any problems. The control system cost approximately $100,000 to install in 2002.

Metering System - The metering system is used to measure customer water use. There are approximately 1,750 water services in the system. The standard household meter costs around $175 and the radio-read equipment an additional $25,000. The replacement project started in 2006 and was largely completed by 2009. There are now less than 10 meters in the system that need to be replaced.