The Water Department of the Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts provides drinking water to about 25,000 people and it receives approximately 15% of its drinking water from Crystal Lake (with the remainder from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority). Crystal Lake is located in the southwestern part of Wakefield, and its watershed encompasses about 600 acres in Wakefield and the neighboring Town of Stoneham. Within the Crystal Lake watershed, the dominant land use is characterized by medium density residential with some commercial and industrial activities. In 1998, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) provided funding under the State Source Water Assessment and Protection Program to enhance the assessment and protection of Crystal Lake as a source of drinking water. As a part of the assessment effort, the management of storm water runoff and sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) to Crystal Lake were identified as the highest priorities to improve water quality. An in-depth study of the storm water draining from various areas around the lake through a number of storm water discharge outlets was conducted. In addition, the project team reviewed the operation of a sewer pump station located adjacent to Crystal Lake, in the Town of Stoneham, and provided recommendations to prevent future SSO events. A round of outreach activities for local residents, businesses, and town officials is underway to outline storm water and SSO issues and to promote better environmental management of Crystal Lake's water quality. Includes figures.
