Pittsfield Water System Flushing to Begin Today

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield’s Department of Public Utilities has announced that the first phase of flushing the city’s water system will commence on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Water mains throughout Pittsfield will be flushed via hydrants over the coming weeks to remove accumulations of pipeline corrosion products. The flushing will occur Monday through Friday each week, excluding holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

The initial flushing period, from April 22 to May 2, is anticipated to affect the following areas:

  • Starting at the Dalton Avenue town line, proceeding west through Coltsville, including lower Crane Avenue and the Meadowview neighborhood, and continuing north along Cheshire Road.
  • Hubbard Avenue and Downing Parkway.
  • Starting at the East Street town line, proceeding west through the McIntosh and Parkside neighborhoods.
  • Elm Street neighborhoods west to the intersection of East Street.
  • Starting at the Williams Street town line, proceeding west, including the Mountain Drive, Ann Drive, East New Lenox Road, and Holmes Road neighborhoods.

While the flushing process may cause temporary localized discolored water and reduced service pressure in the immediate vicinity of the work, the Department of Public Utilities states that measures will be taken to maintain proper treatment and disinfection levels within the water system. Residents experiencing discolored water are advised to run their water for a short time to allow it to clear before use.

Residents who experience persistent discolored water or low-pressure conditions are asked to contact the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.

The city’s Department of Public Utilities emphasizes that flushing is a necessary operational procedure for maintaining water quality in the distribution system and appreciates residents' patience during this period.

 


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Pittsfield ConCom OKs Stairs at Pontoosuc Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Shoreline access stairs are coming to the south side of Pontoosuc Lake. 

Last week, the Conservation Commission approved an amendment to the Order of Conditions for work at Pontoosuc Lake Park.  There will be two stair sets on the south shoreline, and additional bank stabilization. 

In 2025, the park's south side saw new stairs from the parking lot, a boardwalk, and other improvements.  Later phases of the project will enhance the north side of the park for swimming, and remedy a concrete barrier wall that is partially underwater. 

"Generally, what we're looking to do at Pontoosuc Lake Park is install some stair sets in two locations to help folks access from up above the bank, over the bank, and into the water," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained during the July 23 meeting. 

"We're sensitive to some of the issues that are currently existing on the bank, and we're also sensitive to some of the needs for lake recreation out there."

Stairs for water access will be placed on the shoreline at the beginning of the boardwalk, where it is highly eroded, and the second staircase will be at the extreme western end of the project area, which has around 100 feet of highly eroded bank. 

Additional brush layering will also stabilize the bank. 

An area near the boat ramp where live stakes were vandalized will see them replanted after the ConCom found some of the bank erosion was worse than believed on a site visit last year. 

The city originally proposed not replanting the area where live stakes were removed. 

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