| Introduction | Historical Background | Chronology | Geography | Biography | Technology | Ownership and Financing | General Bibliography |
| New England States | Massachusetts | Southbridge |
Southbridge was first settled in 1730.
The first aqueduct was built in 1825 to serve a new hotel and some other consumers using lead pipes.
The Southbridge Aqueduct Company was organized June 22, 1831 by Holmes Ammidown to introduce water to his house, and also served about fourteen other shareholders.
The Southbridge Water
Supply Company was incorporated in 1880 by Francis L. Chapin, Andrew J.
Bartholomew, Chester A. Dresser, William Edwards, George W. Wells, George
A. Dresser, Daniel Whitford and George
S. Stone "for the purpose of furnishing the inhabitants of Southbridge
with pure water for the extinguishment of fires, domestic and other
purposes." The company built a gravity system that was operating by
October, 1880.
The Town of Southbridge purchased the company's assets, infrastructure, watershed (3,000+ acres), pumping stations, and 70+ miles of water main in 1990 for $4.2 million.
Water is provided by the Town of Southbridge. Operation and maintenance of the water system is performed by the Southbridge WAter Supply Company, which in 2004 merged with WhiteWater, Inc.
References
1874 "Aqueduct Companies," from Historical Collections: Sturbridge.
Charlton. Southbridge, Volume 2, by Holmes Ammidown,
Merchant
1880 An act to incorporate the Southbridge Water Supply Company. March 11, 1880.
1882 Southbridge, from "The Water-Supply of Certain Cities and Towns of the United States," by Walter G. Elliot, C. E., Ph. D.
1888 "Southbridge," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.
1889 History of Worcester County,
Massachusetts: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and
Prominent Men, Volume 2, by Duane Hamilton Hurd
Page 1009-1010: AQUEDUCTS - The first aqueduct company in
Southbridge was organized in the year 1825. The principal object was the
introduction of water to the new hotel, built that year on the site where
the Edwards house now stands. The proprietors were Luther, Larkin, Oliver
and Holmes Ammidown, owners of the hotel, and Elisha Cole.
The Southbridge Aqueduct Company was organized June 22, 1831. It was
originated by Holmes Ammidown for the purpose of introducing water to his
dwelling-house, erected in the year 1830, and with that view the water was
conducted to a reservoir near the house. From that point, now the
residence of Mr. C. A. Paige, the water was distributed to the
shareholders, about fourteen in number, comprising nearly all the
dwelling-houses at that time in the village.
The Southbridge Water Supply Company was organized in 1881. President, F.
L. Chapin; treasurer, F. W. Eaton. This company entered upon the work of
furnishing the more copious supply of water, which was the pressing need
of the village. A reservoir was made on elevated land southwest of the
village, and the laying of pipes has progressed from year to year. In 1888
a new reservoir was constructed, on the same stream, of larger dimensions,
and in the most thorough and scientific manner. This reservoir is of an
average depth of sixteen feet, and has a surface of four acres.
1890 "Southbridge," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.
1891 "Southbridge," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.
1894 An act to authorize the Southbridge Water Supply Company to increase its capital stock and take an additional source of water supply. April 21, 1894.
1897 "Southbridge," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
1913 An act to authorize the Southbridge Water Supply Company to increase its capital stock. April 26, 1913.
1939 J. F. Fitzgerald Construction Company vs. Southbridge Water Supply Company, 304 Mass. 130, October 24, 1939.
1960 An act authorizing the Southbridge Water Supply Company to take an addtional source of water supply in the town of Sturbridge. May 11, 1960.
1976 Town of Southbridge vs. Southbridge Water Supply Company, 371 Mass. 209, October 15, 1976.
1992 Town of Southbridge vs. Southbridge Water Supply Company, 411 Mass. 675, January 14, 1992.
2008 Loss Detection & Prevention Efforts in the Town of Southbridge, MA. November 18, 2008.
2011 Southbridge Drinking Water Supply: Assessment of Capacity to Meet Future Demand, Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, December 23, 2011.
© 2015 Morris A. Pierce