Massive water main break impacting Springfield, neighboring towns

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – We’re learning new details from a press conference held on Tuesday night following a water main break affecting Springfield and surrounding areas.

In addition to the school cancelation in Springfield, residents in Springfield and Ludlow are now being asked to boil their water before using it, all of this, as the city continues to resolve the issues brought about by the water main break.

The Springfield Sewer and Water Commission Spokesperson released an order that said it’s a result from the drop in pressure when a pipe on saint James Avenue burst early Tuesday.

Shortly after 3 p.m. this afternoon, a 36-inch water main break resulted in the water pressure dropping throughout Springfield, Ludlow, and some parts of east Longmeadow and Longmeadow and about an hour and half later, authorities say they were able to locate the break behind the big y on saint James Ave.

Early estimates suggest that between five and ten million gallons were lost during the incident and it may have been a result from Monday night’s storms with the significant and prevailing impact of the incident, city leaders gathering to update the public on the city’s efforts to resolve the problem.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said that public safety continues to be his main priority, but the city will resolve this issue soon.

“As you know we’ve been tried and true, battle tested, we’ve dealt with a number of natural and man-made disaster and I commend our cabinet heads on how we’ve dealt with those situations.”

Health officials said out of an abundance of caution, people are asked to boil their water until further notice.

“Our residents for a couple of days may be inconvenienced,” added Helen Caulton-Harris, the Health and Human Services Commissioner. “We will meet and talk about how we can assist our residents from a public health perspective and a city-wide perspective. Businesses must adhere to these regulations as well.”

The Executive Director of the Regional Springfield Sewer and Water Commission was also there on Tuesday night, he said if all goes well with the water testing, residents could see the boil water order lifted as soon as Thursday .

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