Great Barrington — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has requested that Housatonic Water Works take action concerning the company’s noncompliance with state drinking water regulations.
According to letters published on the town of Great Barrington’s website, MassDEP sent a letter to HWW on Friday, Aug. 4 that said that the company violated the state’s Disinfection Byproducts Rule for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) for the fourth quarter of 2022, and the first and second quarters of 2023.
The problems with HAA5 levels in the HWW system have been going on for quite some time.
In a previous letter to customers back in January, the company noted that “Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. In addition, young children (including infants), pregnant women, or those who may become pregnant may be potentially more susceptible to risks from exposures to chemicals, such as HAA5.”
Paine wrote that MassDEP is giving HWW until Monday, Sept. 4 to submit a written proposal on how the company proposes to come into compliance.
He wrote that, if HWW did not remain in compliance in the future, the company could be subject to legal action “not limited to criminal prosecution, court-imposed civil penalties, or civil administrative penalties assessed by MassDEP.”
The company previously proposed to the state significant rate increases to customers.
