Massachusetts resident holds up jar of brown water at town meeting as water outage continues

At a meeting in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, town leaders received evidence from families about problems with their water.

A father displayed a jar of brown water, while another parent showed laundry stained by discolored water.

Here's what to know

At the Great Barrington Select Board meeting earlier this week, the board's agenda called for discussion or a vote on opposing future emergency or long-term rate increases, The Berkshire Eagle reported. But families raised a more immediate concern: whether they could rely on the water to meet their children's basic needs. Some were still without water when parents and children arrived at the meeting.

Housatonic Water Works serves over 800 customers across the three towns of Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. 

Cecilia Turner, who addressed the board while holding her baby, explained how her distrust of the water affects how she feeds her children. "I have a 6-month-old baby who I exclusively nurse, because I can't trust our water to make her formula," Turner said. "I have a 5-year-old who knows that the only drinking water in the house comes out of a giant metal tap."

More background

For Select Board member Ben Elliott, the disruption meant another day without a shower. According to The Berkshire Eagle, he told colleagues, "I didn't get to shower today without water in my house. As said, it's not the first time it's happened that I haven't been able to shower or my child isn't able to take a bath because we can't trust our water." He apologized for how he might smell.

Housatonic Water Works owes more than $100,000 to the Great Barrington Fire District, according to The Berkshire Eagle. The company connected its system to the district's in December after pressure fell.

Work on a state-required filter to address water discoloration has been halted, according to The Berkshire Eagle. The company reported that it had exhausted its funds, leaving the project unfinished as customers continued to report unreliable service.

What's being done?

The Berkshire Eagle reports that the Select Board voted against future rate increases. However, the final decision rests with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, where Housatonic Water Works has announced its intention to request an emergency increase.

Great Barrington has also issued an emergency declaration concerning the water company. Some board members have asked Governor Maura Healey for a state emergency declaration and steps toward public ownership.

Resident Kate Van Olst expressed frustration with the repeated disruptions. "The water breaks all the time, but I think it has hit a nerve today."

Where can I learn more?

The fight for reliable water in Great Barrington touches on problems other communities face, from discolored tap water to rising bills.

• Housatonic Water Works' $100,000 debt threatened emergency supply while its water filter project stalled.

• In Cambridge, the city's main reservoir is 20% full, prompting consideration of water purchases.

• Massachusetts residents face rising water bills as aging pipes and debt outweigh reduced usage.

• Houston residents reported brown tap water, and tests showed very high iron levels.

• Massachusetts lawmakers called MWRA's proposal for more Quabbin water a 'blank check.'

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