Pittsfield Release Notice of Untreated Water Discharge

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. The City of Pittsfield Public Utilities discovered a discharge of untreated wastewater on Wahconah Street near the Northern intersection with North Street.
 
The discharge began at approximately 7:30 a.m. on April 3, and it stopped at 8:30 a.m.
 
It was determined that this discharge was caused by A sewer main blockage at the Northern intersection of Wahconah Street and North Street.
 
The estimated discharge volume at the time of this notification is unknown, and the possible waterbodies affected include the West Branch Housatonic River.
 
This overflow consists of untreated or partially treated sewage and waste. Avoid contact with these waterbodies for 48 hours after the discharge or overflow ceases due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants. 
 
This notice is required by the MassDEP 314 CMR 16.09.
 
This notification and future updates are posted on the Pittsfield Department of Public Utilities website.
 

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Dalton Water Crews Fixing Leak on North Street

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — It's been a busy couple of days for the Dalton Water Department's four-man crew who have been addressing a couple of water leaks. 
 
Drivers on North Street approaching the bridge will see the crew working with REWC Land Management, Inc. employees to locate a water main and repair the leak. 
 
Water Department Superintendent Bob Benlien emphasized that the leak is minor and does not affect any residents. He does not foresee having to turn the water off and expects it to be repaired by the end of the day. 
 
The leak was so minor that it did not appear in the department's flow chart, so it is less than 100 gallons a minute, he said. 
 
The likely cause is aging infrastructure as the pipe was installed in the 1930s, Benlien explained. 
 
The main thing is finding the pipe and the leak, which they are currently doing. The road has changed over time, and it looks like the pipe was moved when the bridge was built up so the department is searching for the pipe and leak now. 
 
The water main is located on a state road with a gas main within close proximity, so the department opted to contract  REWC because it has a vacuum excavation truck.
 
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