Bacteria sample results from throughout the distribution system in Springfield are Negative. As of 5:00am this morning, Thursday, September 14th, the Boil-Water notice has been lifted in Springfield.
IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO BOIL WATER OR USE BOTTLE WATER.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Josh Schimmel, Executive Director of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, his dedicated team and the tremendous work done by Water and Sewer crews for responding and tracking down and resolving this issue. I also want to thank MassDEP, MEMA, and especially my dedicated city team, from cabinet heads to rank and file, for their efforts throughout this difficult and challenging situation that was caused by the wash out from all the extreme rain and flash flooding we’ve been getting. I am pleased to hear that the boil-water notice has been lifted as of early this morning and all water samplings have come back negative. We understand that this difficult decision inconvenienced many, but it was made out of an abundance of caution and after the Commission was able to gather all of the facts and data needed to meet the regulatory components needed for DEP. The public health and wellbeing of my residents and businesses is my number priority. I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”
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To provide those Springfield residents in need with bottled water, Mayor Sarno, HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi, District Fire Chief of Emergency Preparedness Ty Denson, Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, and PBRM Director Patrick Sullivan announced seven locations that would act as water distribution centers for Springfield residents who could not boil-water or that have underlying health conditions, families with babies and infants, or the elderly. Big Y generously donated pallets of water.
Mayor Sarno states, “First, I want to thank Charlie D’Amour and the incredible team at Big Y for their generous donation of water to help with our water distribution efforts. Big Y continues to be a tremendous corporate citizen for our Springfield. Thank you! Special thanks to District Fire Chief Ty Denson, HHS Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response Tony Pettaway, Police Deputy Chief Rupert Daniel, Police Deputy Chief Lawrence Akers and members from the Health, Fire and Police Departments who worked diligently to deliver and distribute water at the centers for our residents in need. Over 2,000 cases of water were handed out. I want to thank everyone for their patience as our dedicated city team worked to keep our distribution centers supplied with enough water for everyone that came out in need.”
Mayor Sarno and Theo Theocles from the Water and Sewer Commission provided an update on the ongoing repairs. Water and Sewer Commission crews, along with DPW and the Springfield Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants to continue to restore water pressure and flow for the next 24 hours or more, if needed.
Work crews continue to be on site of the break, working to secure and stabilize the area. Water and Sewer crews and DPW will be working together on the engineering, design work and site review that will take place in the coming days. The recent rain and flash flooding that has hit the region has impacted local communities hard with costly infrastructure rebuilding and repairs. From Springfield and the Berkshires to Leominster, communities across the Commonwealth have been greatly impacted by these natural disasters.
Mayor Sarno and Superintendent Daniel Warwick announced that Springfield Public Schools are back open for students. Out of an abundance of caution and for the public health and safety of our students and faculty, the Springfield Public Schools had to wait until the all-clear notice was received from DEP and the Commission before they could notify parents if schools would be open. This notice from the Springfield Public Schools went out shortly after the notice was received from the Water and Sewer Commission around 5:00 am this morning. Superintendent Warwick thanked his staff and Sodexo for their efforts working to prepare food for our students and schools during this challenging time.
HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris thanked her department and the Police and Fire Departments for their efforts distributing water to all of the distribution centers. She also thanked local restaurants for their patience, understanding and adhering to all of the public health notices.
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Critical customers with further questions or concerns about the notice should contact the Commission’s Emergency Response Manager, Bob Weaver at: (413) 310-3449 or bob.weaver@waterandsewer.org. Customers can also reach the Commission at info@waterandsewer.org.
More information is available at www.waterandsewer.org or on our social media pages @SpfldWaterSewer.
On behalf of the City of Springfield and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, we thank everyone for their patience and understanding.
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HISTORY
On Tuesday, afternoon, around 3:30 pm, a major water main break in the wooded area near St. James Ave resulted in significant loss of pressure across the Springfield Water and Sewer Commissions distribution system. After discovering the location of the water main break at around 5:30 pm, Commission crews discovered a broken 36” water main pipe gushing water. Crews worked hard to isolate and fix the break. After conferring and reviewing the situation with DEP and providing water sample tests, it was determined by DEP around 9:00 pm that out of an abundance of caution a boil-water notice for Springfield and Ludlow should be issued. The Commission sent out the boil-water notice at this time. At 11:00 pm, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) sent out their own alert message to the area, separate from the City of Springfield and the Commission.
