DALTON, Mass. — It's been a busy couple of days for the Dalton Water Department's four-man crew who have been addressing a couple of water leaks. 

 

Drivers on North Street approaching the bridge will see the crew working with REWC Land Management, Inc. employees to locate a water main and repair the leak. 

 

Water Department Superintendent Bob Benlien emphasized that the leak is minor and does not affect any residents. He does not foresee having to turn the water off and expects it to be repaired by the end of the day. 

 

The leak was so minor that it did not appear in the department's flow chart, so it is less than 100 gallons a minute, he said. 

 

The likely cause is aging infrastructure as the pipe was installed in the 1930s, Benlien explained. 

 

The main thing is finding the pipe and the leak, which they are currently doing. The road has changed over time, and it looks like the pipe was moved when the bridge was built up so the department is searching for the pipe and leak now. 

 

The water main is located on a state road with a gas main within close proximity, so the department opted to contract  REWC because it has a vacuum excavation truck.

 

The repairs will cost about $10,000, but the department has funds budgeted for issues like this. 

 

The department was also called to a private property on Pease Avenue for a water service leak at 7 p.m. last night and was on site until 1 a.m. addressing the issue. 

 

The water was turned off and the owner of the property will be hiring a plumber for further repairs.