Pittsfield Council to See Borrow Request for Water Treatment Upgrades
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city plans to complete upgrades to the Cleveland and Ashley Water Treatment Plants by 2033.
On the agenda is a request to borrow up to $15 million for upgrades to the city's two water treatment plants, the Cleveland and Ashley Water Treatment Plants. This would fund the final design and permitting for Phases 1-3, phase 1 of interim updates, allowances, and contingency.
The total water treatment plant program is estimated to be $165 million over the next 8 years, with $150 million for long-term construction and $15 million for near-term needs "to keep the plants operational and
advance the program through design and permitting," the project's cover letter explains.
The city does not anticipate water rate increases outside of the established new system based on the Consumer Price Index Factor (CPIF) and the Operational Stability Factor (OSF).
"This borrowing, and subsequent authorizations anticipated over the multi-year WTP program, has been integrated into the Water Enterprise Fund's rate structure so that future debt service is absorbed within the Council's established formula," the cover letter reads.
The $15,000,000 borrowing would support:
- Final Design & Permitting (Phases 1–3): $9.2M
- Phase 1 Construction (incl. bidding & engineering during construction): $2.4M
- Land Acquisition/Misc. Engineering/Legal/Contingency: $1.4M
- WTP Equipment Replacement/Maintenance to Plant Operations: $2.0M
Starting this year, two finished water storage tanks would be designed and constructed, chemical improvements would be made at the Cleveland WTP, and the East New Lenox Road flow control station would receive a new pump station to allow the Ashley WTP to be offline during the third phase.
Both WTPs would undergo "major" process and building improvements starting in 2028, and there would be upgrades to the Lower Ashley Reservoir and gatehouse.
Construction is expected to be complete in late 2033.
Pittsfield's two Krofta drinking water treatment plants were installed in the 1980s and are "beyond their anticipated useful service life and are at risk of catastrophic failure," which could leave the city with a shortage of potable water.
Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 4 Councilor James Conant have asked their colleagues to oppose Berkshire Gas' proposed nearly 22 percent rate hike. Their petition explains that it has been an "oppressive" winter with significant snow and many days that have been around or below zero degrees.
During a recent public hearing, the Berkshire delegation joined Gov. Maura Healey, local higher education institutions, and community members who find the increase, estimated to be about $54 a month for residential heating, unaffordable for a vital service.
The utility is asking to adjust distribution rates to generate $22.2 million, which it anticipates will result in a 21.6 percent rate increase on average. In filings with the DPU, Berkshire Gas is estimating up to about a $54 per month increase for residential heating and $12 for non-heating customers.
Tags: drinking water, treatment plant,
