Engineering

Responsibilities

The Engineering Division:

• Assists with the planning, design, and construction oversight of various capital and maintenance projects including drainage, traffic, water, sewer, and stormwater management projects
• Maintains custody of all plans and engineering records for the City
• Facilitates the City’s stormwater management program
• Provides engineering review related to private development projects

Engineering Documents

View and download engineering and construction documents.

Stormwater Management

Unlike some communities, Watertown has separate sewer and stormwater drainage systems. The drainage pipes do not go to Deer Island to be treated like sewage from your house. Instead, stormwater is collected through catch basins, conveyed through drainage pipes, and then discharged into the Charles River.

Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE)

An illicit discharge is the discharge of pollutants or non-stormwater materials to the stormwater drainage system. Since stormwater in Watertown is not treated, illicit discharges contribute to higher levels of pollutants—including bacteria, heavy metals, toxins, oil, grease, and solvents–in receiving bodies like the Charles River.

Capital Projects and Planning

The DPW is responsible for managing the City’s infrastructure assets, including its roads, intersections, water and sewer utilities, and drainage systems. Capital planning activities include programming and implementation of the City’s Pavement Management Plan, Water System Study, and various sewer studies. DPW also manages the City’s Chapter 90 road program and is responsible for long term planning on corridors such as Common Street and Mount Auburn Street.