Pittsfield Seeks $28M Borrowing for Water, Sewer Infrastructure
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is seeking a total of $28 million in borrowing authorizations to upgrade its drinking and wastewater infrastructure.
This includes $13 million for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and $15 million for upgrades to the Cleveland and Ashley Water Treatment Plants, which are located outside Pittsfield. The City Council referred the $15 million borrowing request to the Finance Subcommittee on Tuesday.
The full drinking water project is expected to cost $165 million over the next 8 years, with $150 million for long-term construction and $15 million for near-term needs. The initial ask would fund the final design and permitting for Phases 1-3, Phase 1 of interim updates, allowances, and contingency.
After the meeting, Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales explained that these are needed repairs so the current infrastructure can be stretched a little longer while design work is underway.
Pittsfield's two Krofta drinking water treatment plants were installed in the 1980s. The city says they are beyond anticipated useful service and at risk for catastrophic failure that could leave Pittsfield with a shortage of potable water.
Krofta is a compact filtration system that Pittsfield will continue to use. There are four units at the Cleveland WTP and two at the Ashley WTP. Morales said the system is "very good" but needs to be upgraded.
"We were one of the first to use that type of technology in the 80s, and it's outdated now, and getting parts and getting repairs to it is very costly because of the outdated technology that it's using, and we can replace that with better infrastructure," he explained.
"We need to build a chemical facility on the Cleveland side. We already have that done at Ashley with [American Rescue Plan Act] funds, largely, and then we need to build better tank holding systems at the plants to allow for chlorination to happen at the plant, instead of on its way down to Pittsfield."
The Ashley WTP received more than $4 million in ARPA funds.
From 2019 to 2022, the city piloted a new generation Krofta with approval from the Department of Environmental Protection. Morales said they need to be tested on-site to ensure that they can provide the expected quality of water.
According to the project timeline, starting this year, two finished water storage tanks would be designed and constructed, chemical improvements would be made at the Cleveland WTP, and the East New Lenox Road flow control station would receive a new pump station to allow the Ashley WTP to be offline during the third phase.
Both WTPs would undergo "major" process and building improvements starting in 2028, and there would be upgrades to the Lower Ashley Reservoir and gatehouse. Construction is expected to be complete in late 2033.
Pittsfield provides drinking water for Dalton, the town pays for sewer, and the city has been in conversations with the Dalton Fire District about the upgrades, Morales reported.
Dalton anticipates a rise in water and sewer rates. Town Manager Eric Anderson recently said Pittsfield has proposed raising its fees for the town to include a charge to contribute towards the capital costs, but there is no official agreement with the city yet.
Last week, the Finance Subcommittee discussed the borrowing for sewer infrastructure, which was reduced from $15.2 million. After a couple of hours of questions and concerns, it was tabled until next month.
Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso referenced the conversation on Tuesday, asking for a "lot of data" at the next Finance Committee meeting.
Funding would support a new administration and laboratory building at the plant. The WWTP’s existing laboratory building was built in 1938 and adapted for use in 1973, and is said to no longer meet current needs.
Mold, layout issues, rodents, ineffective air conditioning, and insufficient lab space were cited as conditions that necessitate the project. This means samples have to be sent to external labs, causing delays, while the new lab will allow same-day analysis.
Tags: drinking water, treatment plant,
