Flushing of Pittsfield's Water System: Oct. 20-24

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Monday, Oct. 20 marks the start of phase three for the fall flushing schedule of the City of Pittsfield's water system.
 
This biannual process occurs twice a year typically in the spring and the fall.
 
Mains will be flushed Monday through Friday each week, except holidays, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
 
This phase of flushing is expected to occur between Oct. 20 to Oct. 24.
 
For Tuesday, only, there also will be early morning flushing activity from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
 
The impacted area includes South Street from the South Street/East Housatonic intersection to Park Square; North Street from Park Square to Wahconah Street; Wahconah Street from North Street to Charles Street.
 
Flushing is to be expected to affect the following areas:
  • Several locations along Park, King, and Onota streets near Von Nida Street, Walnut Street, Fort Hill Avenue, South Street, and Velma Avenue.
  • All of West Housatonic Street from South Street to Callahan Drive and all neighborhood streets in-between (i.e. Boylston Street, Cadwell Road, Lebanon and Cole avenues).
  • West Street from Park Square continues to Fort Hill Avenue and all neighborhood streets in between.
  • Several locations along Center Street, Valentine Road, Pecks Road, Thomas Island, Upper North and outer Wahconah streets, Lakeway Drive, and Linden Street.
  • Hancock Road starting at the North Street intersection which would include the Highland and Ridge Avenue neighborhoods.
Although flushing may cause localized discolored water and reduced service pressure conditions in and around the immediate area of flushing, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that proper levels of treatment and disinfections are maintained in the system at all times. If residents experience discolored water, they should let the water run for a short period to clear it up prior to use.
 
If discolored water or low-pressure conditions persist, please contact the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.
 
 
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Radon Reading Closes Pittsfield's West Housatonic Fire Station

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The fire station on West Housatonic Street has been temporarily closed after radon levels were found to be more than twice the normal amount.
 
Personnel at the station were relocated to the department's headquarters, located at 74 Columbus Ave., on Sunday out of an abundance of caution, said Catherine VanBramer, director of administrative services/public information officer. 
 
The West Housatonic Street station, built in 1951, has an officer and two firefighters on each shift. The station's apparatus has also moved to reserve bay at the Columbus Avenue headquarters. 
 
All of the city's fire stations and City Hall were tested. Once test results indicated concentrations above the recommended action level, the city promptly closed the station and began assessment and mitigation efforts. 
 
Initial tests found radon levels three to four times higher than normal, and further testing is planned in the coming days, she said. 
 
The department's headquarters is about 1.2 miles away from the West Housatonic Street station. 
 
"There are instances where PFD personnel are on a call in one part of the city and must respond to another call in a different part of the city.  The team continues to be ready to respond to any calls that are within their service area," VanBramer said. 
 
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