Hultman Aqueduct Interconnections Project

From 1939 through 2003, millions of Metro Boston residents relied on the Hultman Aqueduct to deliver almost all of its drinking water. After more than 60 years of continuous service, the Hultman Aqueduct finally received a well deserved overhaul.

The aging surface aqueduct was riddled with leaks — it was losing about 400,000 gallons of water per day. Valves needed to be replaced and water pressure fluctuated. The Hultman was still operational, but without extensive repair, it was only a matter of time before a major breach occurred.

The vicious cycle ended in 2003, when MWRA started up the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel, a new water transmission line that mirrors the route of the Hultman Aqueduct.

On April 21, 2012, the Hultman Aqueduct was activated from the Norumbega Covered Storage Tank to Shaft 5 in Weston providing full redundancy from Southborough to Weston for the first time.