Last week, the following notice was issued by Maria Hardiman, Assistant Secretary of Strategic Communications, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs:
“Public Water Suppliers have a responsibility to provide safe, healthy, and clean water to Massachusetts residents. The Andrews Farm Water Company has failed to do that. As a result, I’ve issued a Declaration of Water Emergency, and we are working with the state delegation and the Town of Boxford to quickly restore services and ensure residents have access to clean and reliable water.” — Governor Healey
Background:
Andrews Farm Water Company is a Public Water System (PWS) in Boxford, Massachusetts.
Andrews Farm serves about 53 households and is currently experiencing a complete loss of water supply within the entire distribution system.
PWS are required to continuously maintain the public water supply and are prohibited from terminating, suspending, or otherwise restricting water service to any or all residences.
The owner of Andrews Farm has been notified that residents have no water and the Town of Boxford has requested an update regarding the status of the system, actions the PWS is taking to restore service and the estimated time full service will be restored.
After no response was received, Governor Healey issued a Declaration of Water Emergency and the DPU issued an order directing Aquarion Water Company to take immediate operational and management control to restore water service for Andrews Farm customers.
Through the water emergency and under state law, the DPU has the authority to order an investor-owned utility to take any necessary measures to uphold public safety and welfare by prioritizing the restoration and continued availability of water utility services for impacted customers.
A boil water order remains in effect.
MassDEP, DPU, the Town of Boxford, Town of Topsfield, and the Boxford Fire Department are working to ensure the water is restored. ♦
