Stormwater Retention Basin Passed First Major Test, Says Mayor

Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt said the city's stormwater retention basin passed its first major test with last week's storm. 

About 3 inches of rain fell in Peabody between March 29 and 31, but unlike previous storms Peabody Square stayed dry.

Bettencourt said the manmade reservoir off Summit Street, which can hold 2.8 million gallons of stormwater, collected thousands of gallons of stormwater that normally would have flooded neighborhoods and Peabody Square. 

“The basin performed extremely well, which is very encouraging in terms of our efforts to reduce flooding,” said Bettencourt. “Not only did the basin capture water, which in the past has created significant problems for us, but it also drained very quickly and directed the water towards the proper channels.”

Bettencourt said the basin is a "key component" to the long-term plan to reduce flooding in Peabody. 

“This is an ongoing effort and part of an aggressive and targeted approach,” Bettencourt said. “The retention basin is a huge step forward, but certainly not the end all be all of flood mitigation. We will continue to consider these types of projects which take a very practical and localized approach to solving this issue once and for all.”

With more rain expected Monday night and Tuesday, the basin may get its second major test in a week.