Statement Regarding Water Quality Following Discovery of Body in Fresh Pond
8/11/2026 • 3 days ago
Statement from Mark Gallagher, Managing Director of the Cambridge Water Department, regarding Cambridge's
water quality after police are investigating the discovery of a body in Fresh Pond on August 11:
"Cambridge’s drinking water is safe, of the highest quality, and rigorously protected. While Fresh Pond holds roughly 1.5 billion gallons of water, it is part of a carefully managed system in which water travels from the Stony Brook watershed to Fresh Pond before entering Cambridge’s Water Treatment Plant. At the plant, all water undergoes a comprehensive, multi-barrier treatment process that is designed to effectively address any potential contaminants.
Cambridge Water Department also maintains a proactive Watershed Protection Plan and closely manages the distribution system to safeguard this vital resource and ensure clean, reliable drinking water for the entire community."