Integrated Water Resources Management Program

The Town of Medway is in the process of developing and implementing an Integrated Water Resources Management Program (IWRMP).  The purpose of the IWRMP is to look at all of Medway’s water resources and infrastructure and determine how to manage drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater needs holistically. The outcome will be a Plan that addresses needs in a way that balances sustainable growth with environmental protection and affordability. 

The Plan will provide a prioritized list of solutions for Medway to begin implementing.

Having a completed IWRMP will help Medway to obtain grant and loan funding for making improvements.

The Medway Integrated Water Resources Management Plan (IWRMP) Task Force has been working with the Town’s engineering consultant, Kleinfelder, evaluating Medway’s needs and potential solutions.

The Task Force will be reviewing alternative solutions and preliminary results will be presented at a workshop in April.

We will be sharing more information about the IWRMP and ways you can help protect Medway’s water resources over the coming weeks.  Stay informed by watching for IWRMP Update messages on Facebook and Twitter. You can also contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) with questions at 508-533-3275.   

IWRMP Update #2

What are Medway’s Local Water Resources?

Surface Water (ponds, rivers, wetlands and streams)  – All of Medway is located within the Charles River Basin, and the Charles River forms two-thirds of Medway’s southern border with Franklin.  Many of Medway’s surface waters provide important wildlife habitat and Choate Pond is a popular recreational area for residents.  Wetland areas provide essential flood protection.

Groundwater – Medway residents receive their drinking water supply from ground water sources.  The Town’s four supply wells draw their water from the underground sand and gravel aquifer of the Charles River Basin.

Water infrastructure - Medway’s Dept. of Public Works maintains a great deal of infrastructure to help keep streets drained and properties from flooding during storms. This includes many miles of storm drains and over 2,000 catchbasins along with one dam and many culverts.  Medway supplies over 1 million gallons each day of drinking water to residents and businesses through over 70 miles of water mains, 577 fire hydrants and 2 storage tanks.   Medway also is responsible for maintaining over 50 miles of sewer pipe to bring wastewater to the Charles River Pollution Control District’s state of the art treatment facility in Medway.

IWRMP Update #3

How are Our Water Resources Connected?
Through the elements of the water cycle, our actions have a direct impact on surface waters and ground water sources.

Excess chemicals applied to lawns, oil and debris found on paved surfaces, and even pet waste are sources of pollution when they are carried to streams by stormwater or infiltrated into the ground water.

Extra pumping of groundwater in the summer to supply water for lawns and gardens lowers the level of the water table and can dry up streams.

A failing septic system can release bacteria and nutrients into the water cycle, contaminating nearby streams, ponds, and ground water wells.

Stormwater and ground water can leak into aging sewer pipes, overloading the system and potentially resulting in sewage overflows to the environment.

IWRMP Update #4: 

How Can You Help? Simple Steps You Can Take To Help Protect Medway’s Water Resources!

Limit the use of pesticides and fertilizers containing phosphorus – use natural or organic lawn care methods.

Compost your yard waste. Don’t dump leaves in streams in wetlands.

Vegetate bare spots in your yard to prevent erosion.

Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.

Practice Water Conservation. Try these helpful tips: http://blog.crwa.org/blog/saving-water

Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams -- take unwanted household chemicals to hazardous waste collection centers. Or bring it to Medway’s Household Hazardous Waste Day (refer to Curbside Chronicle for date).

Direct gutter downspouts away from paved surfaces so they can infiltrate rainwater into the ground – consider installing a rain barrel or a rain garden.  Rain barrels are available for purchase at Medway’s Dept. of Public Works (DPWS).  To order, call 508-533-3275 or click here for online order form.

Pick up after your pet. Dispose of pet waste in the trash – don’t throw it in a storm catch basin!

Use low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergents.

Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.

Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil.

Call DPW to report any pollution draining into storm drains, wetlands or waterways.

IWRMP Update #5: 

What are some of Medway’s water resources challenges and what are some potential solutions being considered for the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan?

This week we will focus on drinking water.

IWRMP Update #6:

What are some of Medway’s water resources challenges and potential solutions?  

This week we will focus on Wastewater.

Stay tuned for more information from the IWRMP Task Force and join the conversation at the workshop in April. 

IWRMP Update #7

What are some of Medway’s water resources challenges and potential solutions?  

This week we will focus on stormwater.

IWRMP Update #8  

What are the most effective solutions to implement?

Through the IWRMP process, we’ve looked holistically at the Town’s needs for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, as well as solutions for each need. Sometimes these solutions overlap, or address more than one need. We are seeking to implement the most effective solutions first to jump start our program. Public education is needed to support many of the Town needs, so you’ll continue to see messages on how you can help. Some of the other alternatives that we will focus on first include:

Drinking Water:

Develop new drinking water well fields at existing well locations to add resiliency to our water supply.

Continue to encourage smart and efficient water usage as one of the most cost-effective ways to conserve our precious resources.

Continue work to reduce water system leakage throughout Town – this will help us when we apply for future permits.

Begin the design of water treatment systems to improve water quality for Town water customers.

Wastewater:

Work to reduce storm inflow into the sewer system from sump pumps – this reduces the system capacity and increases sewer costs.

Negotiate the purchase of additional treatment plant capacity to support growth.

Continue to inspect and maintain the sewer system to keep infiltration of clean groundwater from entering the system and keep the system running as cost efficiently as possible.

Stormwater:

Encourage “green infrastructure” such as rain gardens and bioswales to capture stormwater and allow it to filter back into the ground instead of running off into streams and rivers. Green infrastructure helps filter out pollutants and protect not only our waterways but our groundwater aquifers.

Replace or maintain culverts to address local flooding areas.

Implement Town-wide stormwater management activities to comply with regulatory requirements.

IWRMP Documents

Meeting Presentations