Aquarion Water Company is replacing the water storage tank that serves the Falcone Circle area of Hampton, New Hampshire. This article explains why the project is happening, how the site was chosen, what construction will involve, and what neighbors can expect before, during, and after the work.
Why the Tank Needs Replacing
The existing tank was built in 1982 and is reaching the end of its service life. Continuing to operate it would require months of intensive maintenance, and taking it out of service for that long would compromise water pressure and fire-protection capacity across the system it serves.
Rehabilitation was evaluated and ruled out for two reasons: the cost is nearly identical to building new, and the extended downtime is impractical given the system's reliability needs.
How the Site Was Chosen
Aquarion evaluated multiple alternatives before settling on the Exeter Road / Falcone Circle location:
- Temporary pumping systems exceeded $1 million and were judged unreliable for long-term use.
- Three alternate tank sites Boutilier Drive (North Hampton), Breakfast Hill (Rye), and Falcone Circle (Hampton).
Falcone Circle was selected because it offered the best combination of factors: Aquarion already owns the property, minimal new piping is required, fire-flow capacity is maintained, no zoning changes are needed, and the schedule and long-term costs are the most favorable of the options considered. An alternative access road was explored but not permitted by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
A note on the name: The project is sometimes referred to as the “Exeter Road tank” because the original 1982 tank was named after the nearest road at the time — Falcone Circle did not yet exist as a neighborhood.
Cost, Rates, and Schedule
Construction is budgeted at approximately $4 million. Rates will increase as a result, though the chosen site represents the most cost-effective path among the alternatives studied. No additional staffing is required to operate the new tank, and the project avoids the substantial expense of temporary pumping systems.
Timeline:
- Early 2025 — Construction begins
- 2026 — New tank completed and placed in service
- 2026–2027 — Existing tank removed
The project requires a zoning variance, a special exception, site plan approval, and approval from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
What Construction Will Look Like
Construction follows a standard sequence: site clearing, foundation pouring, pedestal construction using a jump-form system, fabrication and welding of the tank bowl, roof installation, and landscaping. All material staging happens on Aquarion’s own property.
Traffic: Expect daytime increases on access roads during active phases. There will be no extended blockages and no interference with emergency routes.
Noise: Day-to-day tank operations are quiet and unmanned, and that will not change. Construction itself will generate temporary noise during active phases; once the project is complete, the site returns to its baseline activity level. No change in highway noise is expected from the finished tank.
Impact on the Neighborhood
Appearance: The new tank will match the existing tank in size, shape, and color.
Visibility: Renderings have been provided directly to abutters. Portions of the tank will be visible from some backyards, partially screened by existing tree cover.
Property values: No change is anticipated. The replacement tank is functionally identical to the one it replaces, and there is no relationship between this project and current or proposed development on neighboring parcels.
Questions?
For project-specific questions or to request abutter renderings, contact Aquarion’s project team.