Colonial Gardens Without Water Due to Private Line Water Main Break

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Colonial Gardens residents are on day two without water due to a water line break that occurred Sunday morning, Jan. 22. 
 
Repairs were delayed Sunday because of unforeseen soil stability issues that made it difficult to complete the repairs safely and without disruption. 
 
"They found some substrates that are high in concentrations of sand and that makes it difficult to maintain the excavation open in a safe manner," Public Services & Utilities Commissioner Ricardo Morales said. 
 
Colonial Gardens residents were notified that the Highview Drive complex would be without water for another day on Sunday.
 
As of 12:34 p.m., Colonial Garden management has asked its residents to use the exits as the entrance is closed. Repairs are projected to be complete in a couple of hours.
 
Earlier on Monday, the city released a statement indicating that the property owner has been working toward repairing the break and has been in communication with the Pittsfield and Dalton water departments.
 
As work continues, the impacted area has increased but a shutdown to other Pittsfield areas beyond that will not be necessary. 
 
The city has received reports that the area of impact has increased to the Elm Street area, south of the area,  and toward the west in the Highland street area. 
 
This break has resulted in discolored water. This will continue as repairs are underway for residents in these areas. 
 
The discoloration is caused by a velocity disturbance in the pipes caused by increases and decreases in pressure that agitates the iron particles in the pipes.
 
The discoloration is not harmful to consume. Morales said that if used to clean clothes, there is a risk they will stain. 
 
Those who experience discoloration in their water, are encouraged to run cold water on their faucets until the water clears up.
 
CodeRED communications were shared with the residents of the impacted neighborhoods when the break occurred Additional CodeRED messages will be shared today to Pittsfield residents. 
 
If discoloration does not improve, contact the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.
 
Those not currently signed up for CodeRED notifications, register here: Community Notification Enrollment (coderedweb.com).
 
Additional updates will be shared as necessary.
 

Tags: water main,   

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Pittsfield Road Cut Moratorium

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's annual city road cut moratorium will be in effect from Nov. 29, 2024 to March 15, 2025. 
 
The road cut moratorium is implemented annually, as a precautionary measure, to ensure roads are kept clear of construction work during snow events and to limit the cuts in roads that are filled with temporary patches while material is unavailable.
 
During this period, steel plates are not to be used to cover open excavations in roads. Also, the Department of Public Services and Utilities will not be issuing the following permits:
 
• General Permit
• Sewer Public Utility Connection Permit
• Stormwater Public Utility Connection Permit
• Water Public Utility Connection Permit
• Trench Permit
 
Limited exceptions will be made for emergency work that is determined to be an immediate threat to the health or safety of a property or its occupants.
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