March 28, 2024

WATER ALERT FOR EAST PROVIDENCE

A leak in the Barrinton, Bristol, Water System may cause Pressure Drop in EP on Friday

Posted

East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva, in conjunction with the Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) held an emergency City Hall briefing at 1:00 pm, today, April 11, 2019. The Mayor and BCWA Director, Pamela M. Marchand, addressed the community at large of a water leak which occurred in the main water supply for the East Bay system (Barrington, Warren, Bristol).

"On April 9th, the BCWA of water coming up in the parking lot in the Port of Providence. This supply line runs 160 feet under the Bay from the Port of Providence to Pawtucket Avenue in East Providence and then on to the East Bay communities. It is not a feed for East Providence," said a statement from Marchand.

A leak was found in the BCWA line in Providence. The BCWA hopes to repair the leak without any shutdown if possible. "We are working in an area which transitions pipe from ductile iron to 30"steel to 24"steel to tunnel under the Bay," added Marchand.

East Providence water may have to help backup the BCWA system. "Tomorrow, Friday April 12, 2019, the system will be tested and some flushing will occur. This may cause a water pressure decrease and some discoloration in parts of East Providence," cautioned Mayor DaSilva and other officials.

"It can't be predicted accurately," said East Providence Water Superintendent Jim Marvel, "...but the area most affected may be in Riverside. We don't anticipate any problem with the quality of our water from a drinking standpoint but we will monitor very closely as will the state," Marvel said.

"This is an issue we need to stay on top of. Although it directly affects BCWA, it could very easily affect us should our system run a leak or breakdown in the future," said Mayor DaSilva. The city council and Mayor have begun preliminary discussions in this regard weeks ago. "Yes, I had already placed this issue on our April 16th docket for discussion," said Councilman at-large Bob Rodericks who was at the press briefing. "We need to fast forward a back-up plan for potential water problems in East Providence," added Rodericks.

"The City will send out a Code Red announcement to city residents to apprise everyone of the potential for lower water pressure and discoloration on Friday," said Mayor DaSilva. Also attending the briefing was Fire Chief Chief Oscar Elmasian and city councilman-at-large, Bob Rodericks. "Nothing may happen but we want to be safe as possible," said the Mayor.

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