Mass. neighborhood's water flowing again after 3 days, state takeover
Some Boxford, Massachusetts, residents say water is finally flowing from their taps again after three days and a state takeover of the system. Gov. Maura Healey declared a water emergency and allowed the Department of Public Utilities to take control of Andrews Farm Water Co. For days, residents of 53 homes were forced to fill up jugs of water for their homes. “We’ve been asking for help for years,” said resident Stephen Guilmette. “This is definitely been exceedingly frustrating,” said resident Riley Stone.”We have to wash dishes with boiling water, so we have to go out buy paper plates, buy plastic utensils, flush with gallons of bottled water. Who wants to do that? It’s awful,” said Tanya Demeris, a neighborhood resident for more than a decade.The neighborhood’s water supply, previously managed by a private company, is now under state control, with efforts underway to resolve the issue. Sen. Bruce Tarr, who spoke with the governor, said multiple state agencies are collaborating to fix the problem and hold the Andrews Farm Water Co. accountable.”We also need to make sure when the water is turned on, it’s safe to consume and whatever steps that are necessary for that are going to be taken,” Tarr said. The running taps are a welcome sight for residents who have struggled to do the basics for days.”Can’t shower, can’t wash clothes. I got a 10-year-old, 12-year-old, wife, it’s brutal,” one resident said.Guilmette said the issues have been going on for years, and he even reached out to Healey when she was the attorney general. He said many residents already had a stockpile of water stored away.”We’re trying to raise families here. We just want to go to work and live our lives. People take for granted that you can turn on the faucet and water would come out, you can take a shower or flush a toilet, and you can’t when you have to live like this, and it’s not a good way to live,” Guilmette said.According to the town administrator, water flowing to the homes on Thursday is good to use for everything except drinking.
Some Boxford, Massachusetts, residents say water is finally flowing from their taps again after three days and a state takeover of the system.
Gov. Maura Healey declared a water emergency and allowed the Department of Public Utilities to take control of Andrews Farm Water Co. For days, residents of 53 homes were forced to fill up jugs of water for their homes.
“We’ve been asking for help for years,” said resident Stephen Guilmette.
“This is definitely been exceedingly frustrating,” said resident Riley Stone.
“We have to wash dishes with boiling water, so we have to go out buy paper plates, buy plastic utensils, flush with gallons of bottled water. Who wants to do that? It’s awful,” said Tanya Demeris, a neighborhood resident for more than a decade.
The neighborhood’s water supply, previously managed by a private company, is now under state control, with efforts underway to resolve the issue.
Sen. Bruce Tarr, who spoke with the governor, said multiple state agencies are collaborating to fix the problem and hold the Andrews Farm Water Co. accountable.
“We also need to make sure when the water is turned on, it’s safe to consume and whatever steps that are necessary for that are going to be taken,” Tarr said.
The running taps are a welcome sight for residents who have struggled to do the basics for days.
“Can’t shower, can’t wash clothes. I got a 10-year-old, 12-year-old, wife, it’s brutal,” one resident said.
Guilmette said the issues have been going on for years, and he even reached out to Healey when she was the attorney general. He said many residents already had a stockpile of water stored away.
“We’re trying to raise families here. We just want to go to work and live our lives. People take for granted that you can turn on the faucet and water would come out, you can take a shower or flush a toilet, and you can’t when you have to live like this, and it’s not a good way to live,” Guilmette said.
According to the town administrator, water flowing to the homes on Thursday is good to use for everything except drinking.