The three pumps at the Williams Riding Way Pump Station. (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD—According to the Westfield Flood Control Commission, the city had over 235,000 gallons of water pumped out during a flash flooding event earlier this month.
The event, which occurred on July 12, was preceded by a flash flood warning declared by the National Weather Service. According to chairperson Al Giguere during the Flood Control Commission meeting yesterday, flooding was noted in several areas of Westfield, including Meadow Street and Bartlett Street. The water was pumped out through the newly-rehabilitated Williams Riding Way pump station.
According to Giguere in an email, rain had fallen throughout the day which accumulated, but there was a large concentration of rain that fell in less than an hour, totaling an estimated 1.25 inches to over 2 inches of precipitation.
The Williams Riding Way pump station ended up diverting the over 235,000 gallons of rain water between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. There was one pump utilized and it operated for a total of about 78 minutes, according to data given by Giguere.
While the pump station did what it needed to do to an extent, Giguere said that in an event like that the pump station cannot fully operate. He said that this is due to the Westfield River, which the pump station is situated adjacent to, not getting water levels high enough in the case of a flash flood to create constant pressure on the station and close its valves. If the pump station operates when the water levels are not adequate, Giguere said it could cause damage to the pump station.
