Peter Kulbacki, General Manager
Peter.Kulbacki@hanovernh.org 

HWWC Newsletters

Hanover Water Works:
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (PDF)

Hanover Water Works Consumer Confidence Report

Chronology of Hanover's
Public Water Supply

Hanover Water Works System Map

Drought Mitigation Plan

Water Conservation Tips

Lead in Your Water Educational Document

Chronology of Hanover's Public Water Supply

1770 First well dug on campus near Reed Hall.

1820 The Hanover Aqueduct Association incorporated. Water collected from springs near present Town garage and distributed to Lebanon and North Main Streets through 1 1/2-inch pipes.

1880 New 2-inch lead pipes installed to replace original pipes, doubling the available water supply.

1880 A disastrous fire in the Village indicates the need of an adequate water system for fire protection.

1887 Professor Pettee recommends that the Village build a system to impound the water of Camp Brook and a new distribution system.

1887 The New Hampshire State Legislature authorizes the Hanover Village Precinct to raise no more than $20,000 to implement Professor Pettee's plan. However, the authorized amount is inadequate for the project.

1890 Another serious fire emphasizes the need for an adequate public water supply.

1892 Dartmouth College appoints a special Alumni Committee to study the water supply problem. This committee endorses the findings and recommendations of Professor Pettee.

1893 The Trustees of Dartmouth College authorize an appropriation of $25,000 to permit implementation of the proposed project.

1893 The Hanover Water Works Company is incorporated on August 1, 1893, as a joint project of Dartmouth College and the Village Precinct.

1893 On November 19th, the first water from Camp Brook is delivered to the Village. The initial water works include an impounding dam and headworks, a cast-iron distribution system, and a few hydrants. Fifty acres of land were purchased for the reservoir site.

1903 Dartmouth College becomes alarmed at the news of a water-borne typhoid fever epidemic in Ithaca, NY (1350 cases in population of 3000). It is promptly decided to purchase the entire watershed in order to protect the quality of the water supply.

1912 Acquisition of the entire watershed completed, all structures removed, and the planting of tree plantations started in the former pastures and fields. The watershed area now under complete control amounts to 1205 acres.

1915 The flow-line of the original reservoir raised to increase the impounded storage to 134,000,000 gallons.

1924 A second reservoir built on Camp Brook adds 150,000,000 gallons to impounded storage.

1931 A new 16-inch cast-iron main installed from the reservoir to Main Street to improve service and reliability.

1951 The flow-line of the second reservoir raised increasing the impounded storage to 206,000,000 gallons.

1954 The capacity of the original reservoir increased to 219,000,000 gallons resulting in a total impounded storage 425,000,000 gallons.

1955 Continuous chlorination of supply commenced.

1958 After several public hearings, continuous fluoridation of the supply started.

1959 The installation of meters on all service lines commenced.

1962 A third reservoir for stand-by use constructed on a tributary of Mink Brook in Hanover Center. This addition to the works increases the watershed area to 2500 acres and the impounded storage to 525,000,000 gallons.

1970 The Balch Hill high-service system built by Dartmouth College and added to the distribution system.

1973 Chemical treatment begun to control corrosion of old pipes.

1973 Ordinance to provide essential protection to the watershed area adopted by the Hanover Board of Selectman acting in its capacity as the Board of Health.

1974 Improved service and fire-protection for the Greensboro Road area provided by the creation of a high-service system.

1976 An inter-connection with the Lebanon water system installed on Route 10 for mutual aid.

1977 Long-term plans adopted for management of maturing tree plantations on watershed.

1980 Instrumentation installed for continuous monitoring of raw water turbidity.

1981 Original reservoir designated as "The Robert Fletcher Reservoir" in honor of the Company's first Engineer and long time President.

1993 Waiver from filtration rule granted. Construction started on chlorine dioxide disinfection tank.

1994 Chlorine dioxide filtration system goes on line.

1996 Construction started in December to provide 800 sq. ft. of administrative space adjacent to the shop.

1997 Administrative offices moved to new space at Grasse Road facility.

1998 Approval of $4,035,000 from State Revolving Loan Funds to upgrade mains on East Wheelock, Park & Lebanon Streets, North College, West, Maple and Prospect Streets, as well as construction of 800,000 gallon storage tank to serve downtown area.