Text By Jane Welch Peterson, Nghia Ha & Dave Gawtry
Images provided by: The Leo Blouin Family and donated to Rumford Area Historical Society
As the Town of Rumford became the boomtown of Maine in the early 20th century, the need for a substantial source of quality potable water for its residents grew with it. There were three small water districts in the area, with limited reservoirs in each section. However, the growth of the mills had also greatly increased the need for water, beyond the capabilities of these facilities. Therefore, the town officials determined it was necessary to have one unified water district and water supply source.
The Town of Rumford formed the Board of Water District Trustees in March, 1911. Said Trustees were: Charles M. Bisbee, Cleon S. Osgood, and Arthur Gauthier. The Charter for the Rumford and Mexico Water District (Mexico later withdrew) was approved by the Maine Legislature in September, 1911.
The engineering firm of Metcalf & Eddy, of Boston, was hired to assess a suitable location for a new, larger water reservoir to meet the growing town’s needs. Several regional streams were considered for using as a water source for a greatly expanded reservoir. The engineering firm selected the Mt. Zircon Brook in South Rumford as the best water source, due to its potential as a possible dam site.
Another engineering firm of Boston, Sawyer & Moulton, prepared a report to the Board of trustees, Jan. 17, 1913, comparing the proposals submitted by Metcalf & Eddy and E. Worthington, C.E. of Dedham. Massachusetts. Subsequent to this report, the bid for construction was awarded to Metcalf & Eddy with E. Worthington as the engineer, as of March 22, 1913.
Stripping of the land to be used as the “basin” for the reservoir was begun June 1, 1913. The contract for completing the task of “removing trees, bushes, and all vegetable matter” was awarded to James McGregor Bros. of Rumford, ME.
McGregor was responsible for hiring men and the teams of horses, and procuring supplies to build the concrete core and gatehouse. According to a draft contract which gives an idea of the pay scale of those days, each laborer was to be paid $1.75 per day for a nine-hour day; a double team of horses and driver was to be paid $4.50 per day for a nine-hour day; the first foreman was to receive $4.00 per day for a nine-hour day; and other foremen were to receive $3.00 per day for the nine-hour day.
