Rawson Hill Water Tank Improvement Project

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES
WATER DIVISION
P.O. BOX 550
NEWBURYPORT, MA 01950
PAUL F. COLBY TEL. (978)465-4466
SUPT. OF WATER OPERATIONS FAX (978)463-5684

Dear Neighbor:

Beginning the last week of August the Newburyport DPS, Water Division will begin a capital
improvement project of painting the water storage tank next to the hospital. This will involve
reconditioning and painting both the inside and outside of the water tank, a project that is
expected to be completed by mid October (weather permitting). The tank will be repainted blue.

What impact will you notice from this work?

• Beginning at the end of August contractors will be on site setting up the equipment
necessary for their work. Most of the equipment will be set up inside the fenced area at
the tank or on hospital property. However there will be a need to use the side of the road,
next to the tank, as part of the staging area for work trailers. Trailers will be pulled off the
road as far as possible and orange caution fencing will be placed between the trailers and
the road allowing ample room for traffic and emergency vehicles. We have met with the
police department to coordinate this plan.
• Contractors will be working from approximately 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through
Friday and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on most Saturdays. No work will take place on Sundays.
Workers may be on site later than these times, but the use of equipment that generates
substantial noise will not be in use. After hours time will be used for cleanup of the days
work.
• You may hear noise coming from the equipment required to be used by the contractors,
but it should not be as loud as what is currently taking place at the hospital’s construction
project.
• The water tank will be drained of water for the entire time contractors are working on
site. The Marches Hill water tank (750,000 gallons) will be supplying water to the entire
City during the time this tank is out of service. You will not notice any change to the
pressure or supply of water being delivered to your home and you will still have adequate
fire protection.
• As much of the existing water in the tank will be used by the City as is possible. Not all
the water in the tank can be used because as the tank gets lower, the water pressure for
the City will also get lower. It is important to keep adequate pressure throughout the
water system at all times. Water that can not be used by the City will be drained to waste
over a 3-4 day period.

We appreciate your patience during this time of rehabbing the water tank. This project will
ensure the tanks integrity and allow service to the City for many years to come. Please contact
me at pcolby@cityofnewburyport.com or (978)465-4466 with questions pertaining to the paint
project.