SOUTHWICK – A Sheep Pasture Road resident alerted the Water Commission to a leak at his home this week.
Kent Jackson and Department of Public Works Director Randal D. Brown told the commission that 449,000 gallons of water leaked through Jackson’s meter. DPW Administrative Assistant Gail Cigal said the bill totaled more than $2,000.
The discovery was made by water department employee Keven Soper during routine maintenance. Jackson said tree work was done on the property recently and apparently there was an incident that caused the meter to break.
“There was no pressure loss, no puddling, no mud, geyser or washout,” Jackson said. “There was no sign there was any kind of an incident until Kevin, on one of his routine passes, saw the problem.”
The tree work was being done for Western Massachusetts Electric Company and Jackson said no one told him there was any damage done to the meter.
“I wanted to bring this to light to see what could be done,” he said.
Water Commissioners agreed Jackson should not be responsible for the bill.
“I think we need to bring the tree company in and try to recoup some of the money,” said Brown.
The commission approved inviting the tree service to its Dec. 19 meeting to discuss the matter.
