The plant was built in response to rising demand for vacation properties and fire suppression, and continues to fulfill those functions today.

[2] A walking trail around Long Pond passes next to the pumping station (at the location labeled "Water Dept" on the linked map).

Boyden's section is the most architecturally elaborate, with a hip roof topped by a bellcast cupola, windows set in segmented-arch openings, and a larger round-arched main entrance with double doors.

The tank, which has a capacity of 1,000,000 US gallons (3,800,000 L; 830,000 imp gal), is built out of reinforced concrete and has shallow domed top.

The complex was built on land owned by one of the proprietors, Joseph Story Fay, who had also given Good Will Park to the town.