MAY 4, 2010

INCIDENT CLOSED. THIS PAGE HAS BEEN ARCHIVED FOR THE RECORD.

MAY 4, 2010

THIS INCIDENT IS CLOSED.
THIS PAGE IS FOR THE RECORD.

Updated - Go to latest update

Water service to all MWRA customer communities east of Weston has been interrupted by a major water pipe break in Weston.  Due to this break, A BOIL WATER ORDER IS BEING ISSUED FOR DRINKING WATER FOR ALL MWRA COMMUNITIES EAST OF WESTON UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  In addition, emergency water conservation measures are being implemented for all impacted communities. A complete list of MWRA water communities is included on this page.

MWRA is activating its emergency water supplies such as the Sudbury Aqueduct, Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Spot Pond Reservoir. THIS WATER WILL NOT BE SUITABLE FOR DRINKING, but can be used for bathing, flushing and fire protection.

UPDATE 3:00 PM May 3, 2010

Community Advisory
MWRA SERVICE AREA
 
WATER SYSTEM FLUSHING

Based upon our hydraulic modeling, MWRA has selected very specific areas in the MWRA system and Boston and Brookline for flushing (those areas closest to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir or those areas most likely to receive the water from this source).
 
If a community desires to flush their system, please take precautions to limit and control the amount and velocity of water moved.  The potential for discolored water or the possibility of non-representative coliform results could occur from the non-routine movement of water related to flushing (especially during this boil water order increased sampling period).
 
BOIL WATER ORDER STATUS

Ongoing water quality sampling continues in MWRA communities and initial sample results are beginning to be analyzed.  The time frame for the lifting of the boil water order is still uncertain.  Therefore it would be irresponsible for MWRA to speculate on when the boil water order will be lifted.  As soon as MWRA has more precise information, we will inform our member communities.

COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY BOIL WATER ORDER List Updated May 3, 2010 3:00 PM
Arlington Belmont Boston Brookline Canton Chelsea Everett Hanscom AFB Lexington Lynnfield W.D. Malden Marblehead Medford Melrose Milton	Nahant Newton Norwood Quincy Reading Revere Saugus Somerville Stoneham Swampscott Waltham Wakefield Watertown Winchester Winthrop

For more information on Boil Water Orders:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/boilordr.htm

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UPDATE 7:00 AM May 3, 2010

If communities receive any calls regarding how to reach MEMA, please direct them to call 211.

Community Update

The 120” pipe connection has been repaired, pressurized and put back into service.  Fully treated water has been distributed to the MWRA system since about 6 PM on Sunday and is expected to continue.  Water pressure in MWRA service area is in typical ranges.  

Please remember that a Boil Water Order is in effect for the following communities until otherwise notified and water use should be restricted to essential use only.

Essentially every community provided two sets of coliform/water quality samples on Sunday (thank you).  Communities will collect a second round of coliform samples today.  Collection of these samples will assist with resolution of the open boil water order and we again thank you for your cooperation.  The MWRA Chelsea Water Quality Lab will remain open. 

For more information on Boil Water Orders:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/boilordr.htm

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UPDATE 4:30 AM May 3, 2010

If communities receive any calls regarding how to reach MEMA, please direct them to call 211.

Community Update

Welding of the pipe break at Weston has been completed . Pipe is being filled and then will be pressured tested.  Water pressure in MWRA service area continues to be stable.  MWRA estimates that line may be back in services later this morning.  

Please remember that a Boil Water is in effect for the following communities until otherwise notified and water use should be restricted to essential use only.

All communities below were asked to:

Collect a round of coliform samples Sunday morning and another set Sunday evening (per their total coliform rule locations).  Most communities have submitted these samples.

Communities will collect a second round of coliform samples today.

Collection of these samples will assist with resolution of the open boil water order and we thank you for your cooperation.  The MWRA Chelsea Water Quality Lab is and will remain open. 

For more information on Boil Water Orders:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/boilordr.htm

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UPDATE 12:00 PM May 2, 2010

If communities receive any calls regarding  how to reach MEMA, please direct them to call 211.

Community Update

MWRA has been able to stop the leak at the pipe in  Weston. Excavation of the leak is complete, repairs have been initiated. Water pressure continues to be stable.  MWRA system water is currently coming from the Carroll Treatment Plant and now being supplemented  by the Chestnut Hill Emergency Reservoir.
 
All communities below  are being asked to collect a round of coliform samples this morning (Sunday)  per their total coliform rule locations.  Another round of sampling is  being requested for later today.  The MWRA Chelsea Water Quality Lab is open.

Please remember that a Boil Water is in effect for the  following communities until otherwise notified and water use should be restricted to essential use only.

More information on Boil Water Orders:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/boilordr.htm

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UPDATE 8:00 AM May 2, 2010

If communities receive any calls regarding how to reach MEMA, please direct them to call 211.

Community Update

MWRA has been able to stop the leak at the pipe in Weston.  Excavation of the leak is complete, repairs have been initiated.  Water pressure continues to be stable.  All MWRA system water is currently coming from the Carroll Treatment Plant.
 
All communities below are being asked to collect a round of coliform samples this morning (Sunday) per their total coliform rule locations.  Additional sampling may be requested later today.  The MWRA Chelsea Water Quality Lab is open.

Please remember that a Boil Water is in effect for the following communities until otherwise notified and water use should be restricted to essential use only.

More information on Boil Water Orders:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/boilordr.htm

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UPDATE 2:30 AM May 2, 2010

Subject: May 2 Community Water Advisory (2:30 am Update) rev.

If communities receive any calls regarding how to reach MEMEA, please direct them to call 211.

More information on Boil Water Orders:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/boilordr.htm

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UPDATE 8:47 PM May 1, 2010

MWRA has been able  to stop the leak at the pipe in Weston. Water is now being delivered  through the emergency back-up reservoir system.  Water pressure is  stable.

Please remember that a Boil Water is in effect for the following  communities until otherwise notifies and water use should be restricted to  essential use only.

More information on Boil Water Orders:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/boilordr.htm

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UPDATE 4:30 PM May 1, 2010

The leak is located at the location where the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel meets the City Tunnel on Recreation Road. This 120-inch diameter pipe transports water to our communities east of Weston – as far north as Wilmington and south to Stoughton.  Water is leaking into the Charles River at rate of over 8 million gallons an hour. MWRA crews are on site; engineers are assessing the situation to determine next steps.

Updates will be posted on Mass.gov and MWRA’s website at www.mwra.com throughout the event.

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UPDATE May 1, 2010 1:30 PM

There is a leak on a major water pipe in Weston that could potentially interrupt water service to all of our customer communities east of Weston.
 
MWRA ASKS THAT PEOPLE STOP USING WATER FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS.

Updates will be emailed to community representatives and posted on MWRA’s website at www.mwra.com throughout the event.
 
The Emergency Operations Center is open. The phone number is (617) 305-5970.
 
Press calls should be directed to Ria Convery.

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