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Repairs for Claflin Place water main intended to restore ‘long-term reliability’ of system

A photo shared by the Department of Public Works on Facebook shows the damaged water main on Claflin Place. PHOTO/HOPKINTON DPW

A recent water main break on Claflin Place likely was a combination of factors including the pipe’s age and work in the area, according to Water-Sewer Manager Jed Fenneuff.

“While the recent drainage construction in the area may have been a contributing factor to the timing of the failure, the water main’s deteriorated condition indicates that it had reached the end of its useful life and required replacement,” Fenneuff stated in an email.

Crews responded to Claflin Place on June 28 for reports of a water main break. The issue arose as contractors were planning to pave the road following upgrades to its drainage.

As of Monday, the Water-Sewer Department was working on installing a water main bypass on Claflin Place that connects to an existing fire hydrant and extends along the road, crossing over a nearby bike trail. In an email sent to the Independent prior to an official notice to residents, Fenneuff anticipated the bypass would be up and running by Thursday, pending “successful installation and completion of the required water quality testing.”

Fenneuff did not believe crews working on Claflin Place came into contact with the water main and broke it. Instead, stressing it was only speculation, he stated that vibrations from milling the pavement might have led to the water main’s failure. “It is hard to say really, since it is underground,” he noted.

The now defunct water main was 2-inch steel installed in 1949. Fenneuff noted that breaks on water mains of this age are not uncommon, and his department has a running list of ones that need to be replaced. The new main will be 2-inch high-density polyethylene plastic pipe.

The water-sewer manager also stated that a timeline for replacing the main was forthcoming, stressing that the priority was making sure affected customers had access to water. Once the temporary bypass is installed, he said it should take two weeks to install the new water line.

“Every effort is being made to restore the long-term reliability of the water system while minimizing disruptions to the neighborhood,” Fenneuff added.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Planning Board on Monday continued hearings for a historic property on Maple Street Extension.

The Parks & Recreation Department’s Concerts on the Common series kicks off on Sunday with Beatles tribute band Studio Two.

Town meetings tonight include the Board of Appeals (7) and Historic District Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

A sailboat cuts its way across the Hopkinton Reservoir on a recent sunny day.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD