Public Works Water Division Receives Regional Recognition Award
Published on May 21, 2025
West Springfield, MA: The Town of West Springfield Department of Public Works Water Division is honored to receive the Western Regional Office Regional Recognition Award from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), acknowledging outstanding compliance and operational excellence in drinking water management.
This award is part of MassDEP’s compliance-based Public Water System Award Program, which evaluates public water systems across the state for adherence to regulatory standards over the past five years. Systems are selected based on a strict review of compliance data, and only those with an impeccable record—free of violations, late reports, or enforcement actions—are eligible for recognition.
West Springfield’s Water Division earned this distinction due to its exceptional handling of an incident in July 2024, when an oily sheen was detected in the Town’s public drinking water supply. The presence of the sheen raised immediate concerns about water safety and prompted swift action. The Water Division immediately notified MassDEP, which issued a Do-Not-Use order to protect public health. The affected area was quickly isolated, and the Town conducted water quality testing, and flushed the system to prevent any potential contaminants from reaching customers.
A thorough investigation revealed that the likely cause of the potential contamination was an unprotected cross connection. The Water Division responded by installing a backflow prevention device at the identified site. In just over 48 hours from the initial detection, the issue was resolved and the Do-Not-Use order was lifted.
Beyond addressing the immediate crisis, the Water Division took proactive steps to further strengthen its existing Cross Connection Control Program. In collaboration with MassDEP, the Division conducted a comprehensive review of its procedures and identified an enhancement to its existing program by refining its survey process for high-risk locations. As a result, the Water Division promptly updated its policies to ensure even greater oversight and consistency in future inspections, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of water safety and regulatory compliance.
“Receiving this recognition from MassDEP is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of our dedicated Water Division staff,” said Mayor William Reichelt. “Their swift action and commitment to public health not only protected our community during a critical incident, but also resulted in long-term improvements that will benefit West Springfield residents for years to come.”
MassDEP commended the West Springfield DPW Water Division for its timely and effective response, its transparency, and its forward-thinking approach to continuous improvement in water system safety.
This award highlights West Springfield’s dedication to delivering safe, high-quality drinking water and demonstrates its leadership in oversight responsibility and regulatory compliance.
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