WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Some people in West Springfield are still without drinking water Thursday as the days-long “do not use” order remains in effect.
The order is in effect for parts of West Springfield from the train tracks to Memorial Ave. and all the way back to the Westfield River. Mayor Will Reichelt telling 22News that the cause of the contamination is still being looked into, but it was not caused by a breakage in the water system.
“It likely wasn’t coming from the construction on Memorial Ave it wasn’t coming from any other break. It looks like some kind of backflow incident,” said Mayor Reichelt. The city says backflow of contaminated water into clean water pipes caused the incident.
“The state out of an abundance of caution has said there’s a do not use restriction for that section of town around Haywood until they can get test results back hopefully within 24 to 48 hours,” said West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt.
The city has spent the last few days running the water through the hydrants and flushing the system and thankfully nothing has come up.
Reichelt says that the DEP is working with local crews to see what these businesses had on hand or what could gotten into the water. Adding that there is no other explanation than it being a backflow issue.
“Right now we work with our staff to investigate the two businesses on Heywood that have backflows because we didn’t see any drop and pressure in our system so it wasn’t a broken pipe. It wasn’t anything in our system that had happened or something could’ve gone into it. It would have to have come from a backflow device,” said Reichelt.
Until they get the all-clear from the DEP, that water order will remain in effect, but in the meantime, West Springfield is providing as much as they can to affected households including providing up to 10 bottles of water per day at the Fire Department on Van Deene Ave.
About 4,000 water bottles have been handed out so far since the order began Tuesday. The issue has been identified so they just have to get that test back to give the all-clear.
There are also hygiene accommodations in place for those who are unable to shower in their homes you can use the pool showers at Sadly Pool on 425 Piper Road.
West Springfield residents in need of drinking water should contact the West Springfield Fire Department at (413)-732-2650. Questions should be directed to the DPW at (413)-263-3242.
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