Great Barrington — In a letter to customers sent on September 19, Housatonic Water Works Treasurer James Mercer outlined what he believes would be solutions to the ongoing problems facing the troubled company and its continuous water quality issues.
Water quality has long been an issue with the company, with residents filing various complaints with the town, state, and earlier this month taking their protests to the streets.
At the beginning of his letter to customers, Mercer summarized previous plans developed by the company to address issues.
Phase one of the plan, which was estimated to cost up to $2 million, would include the installation of a new greensand filtration system, the construction of a 2,000-square-foot building to house a new system generator, and increasing personnel to operate a new treatment system, along with a collaboration with the Great Barrington Fire District.
Phase two of the plan, which also was estimated to cost up to $2 million, would include the installation of a new 200,000-gallon storage tank at an elevated location on High Street, the improvement of any fire flow issues, and the continuation of a systematic attrition replacement of piping and hydrants.
“However, as we began finalizing the costs for executing this plan this past month, we discovered that many component costs have increased, dramatically in some instances,” Mercer wrote in the letter to customers. “As such, we felt obliged to identify and explore additional alternatives that, individually or in combination, could help mitigate the utility bills increases that will otherwise likely be necessary to pay for this comprehensive solution.”
Mercer then outlines what he calls “alternative solutions to address the concern.”
“Seasonal manganese discoloration is a concern,” he wrote. “While the water is safe to drink, the color is disturbing and needs to be corrected. The greensand filtration system will fix the discolored water, and the pilot study to verify the efficacy of the technology here in Housatonic is underway.”
Mercer wrote that the state’s Department of Environmental Protection requires the company to run a pilot study for 12 months before any construction commences for the system.
“We requested a shorter testing schedule so we could install a permanent solution for our customers in time for next summer, but MADEP denied that request,” Mercer wrote. “This may mean another challenging summer (2023) of manganese-tinged water. We have some other ideas.”
Mercer then goes on to write about what he believes might be four solutions to the problem.
On the top of his list of solutions is interconnecting the HWW water supply with the Great Barrington Fire District.
“[HWW and the fire department] already have a letter agreement to provide mutual emergency water resources during emergencies,” Mercer wrote. A long-term goal for both entities have a permanent connection. It’s our understanding that there are funds from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act and we’re suggesting that each town and the HWW participate in this project.”
Mercer wrote that “the benefits would be substantial to the entire service area.”
“Housatonic has more than adequate source water and storage, a 10-day supply, to provide backup for the fire department,” Mercer wrote. “The fire department has the ability to reciprocate. A permanent connection would provide both a key short-term benefit, allowing HWW to purchase fire department water while the greensand filtration system is installed, as well as the key long-term benefit of improving system-wide reliability and resiliency.”
The second suggestion Mercer wrote is for the town to support HWW’s proposed rate increases.
“We are continuing to prepare a rate case submittal to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to address the revenue requirements to complete phase one, phase two and increases in our general operating expenses since our last rate filing in 2019,” Mercer wrote. “We will be seeking a settlement with all three towns so that these projects can be completed in a timely basis.”
The third suggestion by Mercer is the formation of a public and private partnership between HWW and Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge.
“We’re advocating that discussions begin immediately among the towns we serve,” he wrote, in order to “investigate collaborative ways to work together, including leveraging state and federal resources, to tackle this situation for our customers.”
Finally, the fourth suggestion Mercer gives in his letter is that Great Barrington purchases the company.
“Over the past two years, Great Barrington has spent tens of thousands of dollars in engineering fees evaluating HWW,” Mercer wrote. “While HWW would prefer to remain private, we’re cognizant that municipalities are eligible for low-interest loans and
grants for system upgrades that private entities may not be. HWW recognizes this
may be best for the community, and we are amenable to discussions about whether a sale
is a viable option at an agreed upon price.”
Mercer wrote that “it’s time to make a decision.”
“Our number one Our number one goal is to come up with a viable plan for all parties involved. We want to move forward as a healthy community with a predictable water supply that will benefit everyone for years to come. We look forward to the collaboration and welcome opinions.”
