Kevin Soper of the Water Department, left, speaks to water commissioners David Meczywor and Chairman Luther Hosmer about a leaking pipe problem on Wynnfield Circle.(Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – A water main replacement on Cottage Street is nearly complete.
Kevin Soper of the Southwick Water Department told the Water Commission last week that the 1.5-inch copper pipe was replaced with a six-inch PVC version and showed the board a three-foot piece of the decayed old pipe that had numerous holes in it.
“There were definite problems with leaks,” Soper said of the neighborhood by South Pond. “This should improve water pressure and water quality.”
Soper said the new line would be flushed, sanitized and pressure-checked early this week.
“By the end of the week , if it passes the tests, it should be all set,” Soper said.
Replacing the line will save the town money on unaccounted for water. Soper alerted the commission to another issue where the town is likely losing thousands of gallons of unaccounted water.
Soper showed the commission a piece of broken plastic pipe taken from a Wynnfield Circle residence and said he believes the entire street has faulty, leaking pipes.
“It’s shoddy pipes,” Soper said, adding it does not meet American Water Works Association standards. “It’s split and who knows how many are like that.”
The upscale condominium development is less than 10 years old. Soper was asked who from the town signed off on the use of the thin plastic pipes and he said it was built before he was a town employee.
Soper found out about the problem when the contractor hired to fix the situation at one home let him know there could be further concerns.
“It’s going to be an ongoing problem up there,” said Soper.
Soper told the commission letters were sent to the condo association previously about concerns related to leakage.
“We sent a letter and did not get a response in spring when the first incident happened,” Soper said of another leak. “Three weeks ago there was another incident.”
Soper said the replacement of pipes is the responsibility of the condo owners. In order to prevent the town from incurring costs of unaccounted for water, Soper said a master meter should be installed before the pipes go to the homes.
“When these leak, it’s unaccounted water, and the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) doesn’t like that,” Soper said.
The commission members agreed to contact the DEP for assistance in getting action from the condo association.
