Wekepeke

Located in the Southern New England Coastal Hills and Plains eco-region of central Massachusetts, this area drains into the North Nashua River in Lancaster just below Bartlett Pond.

It has good tree cover for shading to maintain cold water temperature, has high fertility and moderate acidity and, consequently, self-supporting populations of brook and brown trout.

Sterling's Municipal Wells #2, 4 and 5, the Wekepeke Aquifer, and Leominster Zone III Area of Protection face possible contamination sources.

These include Sterling's landfill in the recharge area, pesticide use in power line and railroad rights of way, and beavers, which have capitalized on the present environmental conditions and proliferated to the point of being considered a "nuisance" species.

The most serious damage beavers are causing in this subbasin, in addition to increased localized flooding behind their dams, is from bacterial contamination of well water[citation needed].

Also, any further development of the Wekepeke Aquifer, from residential septic systems and farming or from commercial operations, could affect the town of Lancaster's well near the North Nashua River.

In early 2007, the town of Clinton allowed Nestlé Waters-Poland Spring to test the Wekepeke aquifer as a possible water source for commercial sale.

In March 2008, the town of Clinton issued an RFP to officially solicit potential buyers for water rights to the Wekepeke.