NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Water Department and Department of Public Works have been responding since Friday to multiple water line breaks throughout the city that are causing temporary loss of water in some areas. 

 

"Everyone has water or very low pressure," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, as of Sunday evening. "We're asking people to just conserve as much as they can. Once the system gets in balance, everything will come back, but we've got to fix them."

 

The first break occurred Friday in the field behind the water filtration plant, which was difficult to access. That repair was completed on Sunday morning. 

 

"Then we started at 3:30 this morning on American Legion Drive," she said. "We dad to wait a few hours for Dig Safe, which slowed us down, and they're still over there, still trying to make the repair.

 

"Then about, probably, I would say, eight o'clock [Sunday morning]. We were called to Carr Hardware, where we had another bubble, another break. I don't know if we'll get to that break tonight. The guys are very tired, it's cold, it's unsafe."

 

Crews have been working in frigid temperatures trying to find where the lines are broken and fix them. The loss of the main line caused a drop in pressure, and the pressure changes are causing more breaks. 

 

Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau was able to assess and get the first break fixed, she said, "but now it's regulating the system and that, coupled with the cold weather, is working against us tonight, but the team has been great. 

 

"They've been out there for almost three days. Let's face it, and they still have a couple long days ahead, and the warm weather next week is not going to help us either, because that will make more things pop. It's the nature of the beast, the system that we have."

 

Motorists are asked to avoid areas of State Road and American Legion Drive while repairs are underway to ensure the safety of employees and the public. In the event of an emergency, contact the Dispatch Center at 413-664-4944, Ext. 1.