Salem’s water future…should be secure…with a new source of water to supplement Arlington Pond and Canobie Lake

IN THE MARCH ELECTION ARTICLE 5 PASSED APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE TO PURCHASE WATER FROM THE “SOUTHERN NH REGIONAL WATER LINE INTERCONNECTION” FROM THE MANCHESTER WATER WORKS. Salem has acquired the right to purchase up to 1.5 million gallons per day of drinking water.

The campaign to get out the vote (salemswaterfuture.com) was a joint effort from: voters and residents of Salem, the Salem Board of Selectmen, the Salem Budget committee, Salem Municipal Services, Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce, the Arlington Pond Protective Association, the Canobie Lake Protective Association, and many others. There was broad support as demonstrated by Article 5 passing with 77% of the vote.

This pipeline is a regional undertaking, with many approvals needed from the State and other towns. The CLPA directors will be following the process to ensure that the pipeline is completed. We will update members as the details are finalized.

The approximate $27 million cost of construction of the pipeline will be paid in full by the MtBE settlement money from the State of NH DES. Clean and safe drinking water should be flowing through the pipeline by the end of 2020.

The Town of Salem’s policies of drawing water from Canobie Lake and Arlington Pond will be better defined when the water is flowing through the pipeline. It is hoped that Canobie Lake will never again be drawn down more than its “SAFE YIELD”.