2.  Emergency Response Planning

Since the development of Stony Brook and Hobbs Brook Reservoirs, major growth in the region’s transportation network and land use patterns have brought significant development and highway infrastructure to the area surrounding both reservoirs. Because the Cambridge water supply is located in a relatively urbanized setting, with close proximity to highways and commercial development, it is vulnerable to the introduction of hazardous materials. The City of Cambridge has taken preemptive steps to facilitate a rapid response to protect the water supply should a hazardous material be released in or near it. Furthermore, since the reservoirs are located outside the City of Cambridge, there is a need to involve the four communities in the watershed - Lexington, Lincoln, Waltham, and Weston - as well as several key state agencies. A close relationship has been established with local fire departments within the watersheds, who act as the first responders in the event of a hazardous materials release. Training and equipment are provided to these departments along with a highway atlas of direct discharge locations from State highways to the water supply.

Plan Development

In 1988, the City of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority commissioned the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to develop a comprehensive Watershed Protection Plan for the City of Cambridge. This plan has been prepared for use as:

• an immediate guide during hazardous material emergencies
• a tool for use in preparing for, and preventing, hazardous material emergencies in the Cambridge Watershed
• a document for familiarizing local emergency response personnel (i.e., fire, police and state emergency response teams) with the established emergency response procedures.  

Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan Update 2006 (PDF)