According to the Report to the Board of Trustees, dated March 27, 1915 by Head Engineer, E. Worthington, all work was done by August 17 and on August 18, the drain pipe was closed. By November 16, 1914, the “water from Mt. Zircon supply was first turned into the pipes for general use. The Basin was filled February 25th, 1915 so as to first discharge over the overflow”.
The Safe Drinking Water Act of the 1990’s made open reservoirs, unless treated prior to consumption, unacceptable in Maine. Therefore, the use of the Mt. Zircon Reservoir was discontinued by the Town of Rumford. In addition, the dam was lowered below the spillway level to preclude any possibility of dam failure, due to its advanced years. This reduced the capacity of the reservoir by about one-half from its original planned level.
Sources:
Rumford Water District – A Short History by Brian Gagnon, Superintendent, Rumford Water District
Report to the Trustees of the Rumford Falls and Mexico Water Supply District, January 17, 1913, by Walter H. Sawyer, Sawyer & Moulton
Copy of a Draft Contract between Rumford and Mexico Water District, Rumford, Maine…Contract for Stripping Basin Mt. Zircon Brook Supply, 1914 – (Between Trustees and James M. McGregor)
Report to the Board of Trustees, by Head Engineer, E. Worthington , of Dedham, MA, March 27, 1915.
Rumford and Mexico Water District, Rumford, Maine. Specifications, Contract and Bond for Mt. Zircon Brook Supply, March 31, 1913.
Personal Interview with Janette West Blouin, October 12, 2012
Second Annual Report, Rumford and Mexico Water District, 1914, Year Ending March 31.
