Southwick Water Commission Addresses Lead Service Line Concerns Amid Statewide Efforts
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Meeting Type:
Water Control Board
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Meeting Date:
10/03/2024
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Recording Published:
10/04/2024
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Duration:
22 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Hampden County
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Towns:
Southwick
- Meeting Overview:
During the recent Southwick Water Commission meeting, the primary focus was on the ongoing lead service line inventory project, mandated by state regulations. The commission is working to identify and replace lines that may contain lead or galvanized steel, with significant funding allocated from the Massachusetts Drinking Water Program Revolving Fund. The commission also highlighted the need to proceed swiftly with an amendment to their contract with consulting firm Ty and Bond to further these efforts.
The commission has identified 25 galvanized steel service lines, which must be replaced as they may contain traces of lead. Additionally, 618 service lines remain unknown, necessitating further investigation as per the state Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) policy, which assumes unknown lines to be lead unless proven otherwise. The commission plans to conduct basement inspections and vacuum excavations to accurately identify these lines. The consulting firm Ty and Bond will aid in this process, with a proposal to conduct 180 more inspections.
To fund these inspections, the commission is seeking approval for an amendment to their contract with Ty and Bond, which will be presented to the select board for authorization. The commission emphasized the urgency of securing funds from the state’s revolving fund before they are depleted, as every community in Massachusetts is currently engaged in similar efforts to comply with the new lead and copper rule.
In other matters, the commission reported the successful lifting of water restrictions that had been in place since September 9 due to low water levels in Russell River. Restrictions were lifted on October 1, aligning with permit requirements. Additionally, the commission discussed ongoing construction on Bungalow Street, where a new water main has been installed, and work on drainage and sewer lines continues.
The commission also reported on their annual lead and copper sampling, revealing that all tested locations, including homes, schools, and daycares, returned levels below any action thresholds. Notices were sent to property owners with the test results.
Karl J Stinehart
Water Control Board Officials:
John Francis Cain, Christina Myette (Office Manager), Edward Johnson, David Meczywor
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Meeting Type:
Water Control Board
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Meeting Date:
10/03/2024
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Recording Published:
10/04/2024
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Duration:
22 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Hampden County
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Towns:
Southwick
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