November 9, 2009
Tour of the Water Purification Facility
Tours are a combined Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation activity that are given by the Cambridge Water Department's staff. Tim MacDonald, Manager of Water Operations (first photo) began this tour with a map that showed participants an overall view of the Cambridge watershed area. The two Cambridge Reservoirs that are located in Lexington, Lincoln, Waltham and Weston were pointed out in this interactive question and answer session. Water Quality Supervisor Krystyna McNally continued the tour in the facility's laboratory where she spoke of the processes that are used to eliminate bacteria and viruses (middle photo). Groups of students (elementary through college level) tour the facility during the day. When giving tours to elementary students, Krystyna McNally uses hanging plush toys (third photo) as she describes the microorganisms that can live in water. The toys represent (from left) E. Coli, Staph, Algae, Penicillium, Giardia, and Salmonella.
Photos and Descriptions by Carol Collura