Pittsfield Announces Phase Three of Spring Hydrant Flushing Schedule

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City of Pittsfield's water system will begin phase three of its spring flushing schedule on Monday, May 5.

Water mains will be flushed Monday through Friday each week, excluding holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. This phase is anticipated to last from May 5 to May 9.

On Monday only, early morning flushing will also occur from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. The affected area includes South Street from the intersection of South Street and East Housatonic Street to Park Square; North Street from Park Square to Wahconah Street; and Wahconah Street from North Street to Charles Street.

Flushing is expected to affect the following areas:

• Various locations along Park, King, and Onota streets near Von Nida Street, Walnut Street, Fort Hill Avenue, South Street, and Velma Avenue.
• All of West Housatonic Street from South Street to Callahan Drive and all adjacent neighborhood streets, including Boylston Street, Cadwell Road, and Lebanon and Cole avenues.
• West Street from Park Square to Fort Hill Avenue and all connecting neighborhood streets.
• Several locations along Center Street, Valentine Road, Pecks Road, Thomas Island, Upper North and outer Wahconah streets, Lakeway Drive, and Linden Street.
• Hancock Road starting at the North Street intersection, encompassing the Highland and Ridge Avenue neighborhoods.

The city's Office of the Mayor stated that while flushing may cause temporary discolored water and reduced water pressure in the immediate vicinity of the flushing, measures will be taken to maintain proper treatment and disinfection levels within the water system. Residents who experience discolored water are advised to run their water for a short time until it clears before using it.

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

The city noted that flushing is a standard operational procedure that plays a key role in maintaining water quality within the distribution system and expressed gratitude for residents' patience during this process.

Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder. 

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma. 

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024. 

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero. 

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said.