Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1843
And here is one response from many regarding the BWWstreet covers.
Good morning, Earl.
Assuming these are a foot or so square, I think they are street shutoff valve access hatches for water service to either individual customers or neighborhood mains. The “B.W.W.” stands for “Boston Water Works,” but I have no idea what the other letters mean. Perhaps they are clues to what types or sizes of valves lie hidden beneath the hatches. Maybe one of the old-line plumbing companies (e.g., Trethewey Brothers) still operating in Boston might know the full story. Does the Boston Sewer and Water Commission still exist, or has it been absorbed by the MWRA? One or the other of those agencies should know. These legacy covers are sort of a municipal utility history course. I can remember seeing round ones marked “BEICo” for Boston Edison Illuminating Company, and a variety of names on the hatches for the downtown Boston steam power loop. As recently as the last time I worked downtown (ending 1998), several buildings were heated (and cooled – go figure) by high-pressure steam generated by what I think had started out as a division of the Edison. I seem to remember they sold it off during the period immediately following dereg. I’m a little fuzzy there, but someone is sure to know all about all kinds of covers and educate us all.
Regards,
Douglas R. Wynne
Today’s illustration is another mystery. Does anyone know what EEI stands for?
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