Spring 2019 Announcement to Customers
Ongoing Projects and Plans
This information is being provided to update the public and Hampstead Area Water Company (HAWC) customers of the ongoing projects that HAWC is currently working on and recently completed. Some of the recent projects that have been completed include a new pumping and treatment station in Atkinson, generators at Bow Lake in Strafford, NH, Oak Hill in Chester, NH, Additional filtration for iron and manganese at Colby Pond in Danville, NH, and Arsenic media replacements at several systems.
HAWC is currently working with the Department of Environmental Services (DES), and the NH Drinking water and Groundwater Trust Fund (DWGWTF) to provide water from Manchester Water Works (MWW) through Derry, Windham, Salem, Atkinson, and ultimately provide water to Plaistow to address water quality issues. The Southern NH Regional Water Project (SNHRWP) will also provide a source of water for Windham and also provide additional source capacity to Salem, Atkinson and Hampstead.
HAWC is actively engaged with the SNHRWP and as part of the overall project we expect to start construction on a 1 Million Gallon Water Storage Tank located in Atkinson as early as May 2019 to be funded by a combination of grant and loan through the DWGWTF. The Atkinson Tank is the first of many construction projects related to the SNHRWP.
Construction of the Atkinson Tank will improve HAWC's ability to provide safe and reliable service to its Atkinson and Hampstead customers by:
- Providing more stable pressures and flow rates;
- Allowing wells to pump at a more constant, sustainable rate, which will reduce wear and tear on mechanical and electrical equipment;
- Reducing system complexity by providing storage for peak demands;
- Increasing fire suppression storage volume;
- Receiving water from the SNHRWP;
- Provide water to Plaistow as part of the SNHRWP.
As part of the SNHRWP, we will be securing 250,000 gallons of water per day from MWW under Phase I of the project. This water will provide the system with approximately 55% of its current needs and will allow the system more flexibility in its operations. In addition to constructing the 1-million-gallon storage tank in Atkinson, we will be constructing the following components related to the SNHRWP:
- A booster and treatment station in Atkinson on West Side Drive at the Salem town line;
- Construct watermains;
- Convert existing sources to chloramine treatment;
- Renovate an existing pressure reducing station on Main Street in Atkinson.
The proposed Phase II of the SNHRWP will require additional infrastructure upgrades and includes an additional 500,000 gallons per day of capacity available to Atkinson and Hampstead. Currently there is no established time line for Phase II of the project.
In addition to the SNHRWP we are currently working on the following projects:
HAWC is currently undergoing an extensive study under the DES Large Groundwater Withdrawal permitting process with the assistance of Emery & Garrett Groundwater Investigations (EGGI) to permit a new well at the Angle Pond well field in Hampstead. The new bedrock well known as Angle Pond Well 3 will provide our Atkinson and Hampstead system with additional water and allows for flexibility in its operations.
We have been asked if the Atkinson and Hampstead system is adding an additional 250,000 gallons per day from the SNHRWP why additional wells are being permitted. While the Atkinson and Hampstead System will benefit from 250,000 gallons per day from the SNHRWP, the wells we are proposing and have recently permitted will provide for a more reliable and sustainable supply which allows us to continue to provide clean safe drinking water. One example is the recent need to reduce pumping at the Kent Farm well field which has been linked to impacts on neighboring wells. The reduction in pumping will be offset by production from newly permitted and proposed sources.
HAWC is working closely with the DES the NHPUC and surrounding stakeholders to ensure that our Customers and neighbors have safe and reliable drinking water.
“Hampstead Area Water Company proudly serves our customers, communities, and the surrounding environment. We are proud to provide the best water services possible.”
As these projects progress additional detailed information will be provided.
Additional information can be found in the documents linked below.
Phase 1 Plan for Water Interconnection
Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Interconnection Program Overview
