In West Springfield, prior to 1873, there was no central water supply system. People either had their own wells, were connected to natural springs via gravity fed pipe systems called aqueducts, or carried their drinking water, in jugs, from brooks and rivers to their homes. Springs were not always located on one’s property, so deeds included variances to allow men to cross another person’s land to repair and clean clogged or broken pipes.
In 1873 several local men formed the West Springfield Aqueduct Company and by 1875 the company had built a dam across Darby Brook, a small stream that enters the Connecticut River at the foot of White Church Hill. The town’s first reservoir, on the corner of Amostown and Piper Roads now became a reality. Along with the dam, the company laid pipes throughout the downtown area and began to sell water to residents.
Using an 1875 Massachusetts Law, the community took over the Aqueduct Company by eminent domain in 1893. A Board of Water Commissioners was created at that time and the water supply system as we know it today was established.
The Piper Reservoir, soon known as “The Rez”, provided water to downtown houses, businesses, and even to the Boston & Albany Railroad but the supply wasn’t enough and by 1906 the new Bear Hole Reservoir came on line to provide additional water.
In 1948, town owned wells in Southwick, Massachusetts began to supply water to the community and the “Old Piper Rez” became obsolete. It was taken off line and truckloads of beautiful white sand converted The Rez into a popular swimming place. Unfortunately, the white sandy beach proved to be short-lived as it was washed out, along with the dam and a large section of Piper Road during the 1955 flood.
Although a poor substitute for the sandy beach, the cement swimming pool at this location today does provide some relief for area children on a hot summer day. What remains of the ‘Old Rez” is used for ice skating in the winter and for a fishing derby for children every spring.