Springfield lifted its boil water order for residents on Thursday after a main break caused concern for contaminated water on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to city officials.
Bacteria sample results from through the distribution system in Springfield and Ludlow were said to be negative, according to a release from Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.
Therefore, it is no longer necessary for residents to boil water or drink bottled water, officials said.
“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,” Sarno said. “The public health and wellbeing of my residents and businesses is my number priority. I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”
The water main broke at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday as a result of downpours Monday night, Water and Sewer Commission Executive Director Joshua Schimmel said during a press conference Wednesday. About 5 to 10 million gallons of treated water flowed out of the system as a result of the break, Schimmel said.
Sarno declared a state of emergency in Springfield shortly after the break was spotted in a 36-inch high-pressure main in a wooded area off St. James Avenue.
Director of the Department of Public Works Christopher Cignoli said the area around the break will need to be rebuilt.
“We’re talking probably five, six, seven hundred feet of a stream channel culvert system,” Cignoli said. “The drainage system was down about 10 plus feet on the ground. So you’re dealing with almost 20 feet down to do our repairs.”
He said the work on the long-term fix will take some time, and the area around the break will have to be stabilized before necessary repairs are made.
After the press conference, Cignoli told The Republican that the actual repairs are between two and five days away from starting, and the weather should not interfere with repairs.
The boil water order extended to Ludlow, although its schools have been in session. The commission has customers in surrounding areas, too, such as Wilbraham.
Springfield public schools will be open Thursday after the break forced the district to close Wednesday, according to Sarno. Families will be given the news via robocalls Thursday morning.
Customers water questions or concerns can 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 online or on social media @SpfldWaterSewer.
