Drinking Water Investigation Sparks Warning: ‘Do Not Use’

A town in southwestern Massachusetts has issued a “Do-Not-Use” warning for some residents’ water supply.

The city of West Springfield said in a notice shared on its website that the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) implemented the warning following an investigation into an issue with the drinking water around Heywood Avenue. Any residents under the warning are ordered not to use their tap water “for any type of consumption” until the investigation is completed.

West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt told WWLP on Tuesday that some residents had filed complaints about an oily film in their tap water. City officials believe at this time that the contamination is not from a break in the local water system.

Reichelt also told WWLP that state officials “spent most of [Tuesday] running the water through the hydrants, and flushing the system…and they haven’t seen anything that is visible anymore in the water but because of the state’s orders…we can’t use the water.”

Below is a list of the areas under the Do-Not-Use order, including any residences or businesses on the following streets, per the city’s notice. A map of the affected area can also be found here.

• Lowell Street
• Windsor Street
• Bosworth Street
• Baldwin Street
• Norman Street
• Allston Avenue
• Heywood Avenue
• Roanoke Avenue
• Cold Spring Avenue
• Colony Road
• York Street
• Exposition Terrace
• Exposition Avenue
• River Street
• Parts of Memorial Avenue

The city’s notice said that residents will be informed of any updates as soon as information is available. The Do-Not-Use order will stay in place “until the Town receives water quality testing results. We anticipate that this will last for at least forty-eight (48) hours, pending test results.”

Residents impacted by the order can access bottled water at the West Springfield Fire Department station at 44 Vane Deene Avenue. The city said that all residents are able to obtain 10 bottles of water and must provide identification proving that they live within the impacted areas.

Showers will also be open to residents at the Sady Pool entrance located at 425 Piper Road, city officials said. The public pool will be accessible on Thursday, July 25, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. EST.

Residents who are unable to retrieve bottles of water can call the West Springfield Fire Department’s non-emergency line at 413-263-3221 to schedule a delivery. Those who need assistance in reaching the open shower facilities for hygiene assistance can call Reichelt’s office at 413-263-3041 to schedule a time to be transported to Sady Pool.

Newsweek sent an email to the MassDEP Drinking Water Program on Wednesday for an update on the state’s investigation.