My View of Life on the Dock
Based on water test results indicating no issues with the water in the City, the Department of Environmental Protection has lifted the boil water order for the City of Gloucester. Please use the following information for instructions on how to make appropriate preparations to begin using your household, or business water systems.
Good News For Gloucester
This just in from Sefatia-
HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THEIR WEEK END GOT GREAT NEWS.. JUST RECEIVED A TEXT..GOT OUR FIRST DAY WITH ZERO POSITIVE…; BOIL WATER BAN STILL IN EFFECT… BUT A ZERO COLIFORM DAY YIPPEE
Posted by: cpantano on 09/01/2009 18:02:09
Updated by: cpantano on 09/01/2009 18:02:09
Expires: 09/03/2009 00:00:00
WATER UPDATE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2009, 6:00 PM
In recognition of the efforts of our local merchants to remain open during this difficult event, please continue to support local businesses. All restaurants and coffee shops are open. Cape Pond Ice is producing ice in their off site facility and distributing it to local customers. Again, please support your local businesses.
Water Supplements
We continue to receive water from Manchester, and will again begin receiving water from Rockport tonight.
Bond Hill Water Level
Water levels in the Bond Hill storage facility are dropping, therefore our need to receive water from our neighboring communities. Please continue to conserve both inside and outside water use.
Schooner Festival
This weekend’s Schooner Festival and all scheduled activities will all proceed as planned.
Summary
The administration would like to thank Stop and Shop, Shaws and Comcast for their generous donations of bottled water for the schools, Senior Center, Open Door and Pathways for Children.
Correction: Cape Ann Brewing , 27 Commercial Street, is offering boiled water to any resident of Gloucester. Please bring your own containers. Their hours are Monday thru Saturday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm., not 1:00 a.m. as previously reported
There have been reports of possible “scam artists” in the city attempting to sell water filtration systems. Please report any of this type of activity to the Gloucester Police by calling 978-283-1212
The outdoor water ban and the boil water order remain in effect. Please note that the more inside water the citizens of Gloucester can conserve the more quickly we can resolve this situation.
| WATER UPDATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 31,2009, 6:00 PM Last update by: cpantano on 08/31/2009 18:18:55 GMT (Read: 72) |
| August 31, 2009
As a result of the continues presence of coliform bacteria in the Gloucester water supply, representatives from the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), United Water (the city’s contract operator for the city’s water treatment plants),  New England Civil Engineering, Camp Dresser McKee, Inc. (qualified consultants with expertise in water systems) along with local and state elected officials met on Monday, August 30, 2009 in order to assess the current water emergency, and determine the appropriate course of action as we move forward. At that time the following action plan was created: |
| Read More |
| WATER UPDATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009, 10:00 AM Last update by: cpantano on 08/31/2009 10:01:17 GMT (Read: 832) |
| OUTDOOR WATER BAN HAS BEEN REINSTATED. |
| Read More |
| WATER UPDATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009 Last update by: cpantano on 08/31/2009 11:09:56 GMT (Read: 1089) |
| INFORMATION RELEASE – AUGUST 30, 2009 |
| Read More |
| WATER UPDATE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Last update by: cpantano on 08/31/2009 08:02:30 GMT (Read: 1536) |
| Frequently asked questions regarding the water situation. |
| Read More |
| WATER UPDATE: TIMELINE OF EVENT TO DATE Last update by: cpantano on 08/31/2009 08:02:53 GMT (Read: 1224) |
| Timeline of event to date. |
| Read More |
Posted by: cpantano on 08/28/2009 17:34:13
Updated by: cpantano on 08/28/2009 17:37:17
Expires: 08/31/2009 00:00:00
WATER UPDATE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009, 5:30 PM
BRIEF UPDATE FOLLOWS
Test Results from Thursday, August 27, 2009
Laboratory results taken Thursday, August 27th have not been received at the time of this posting. As of Wednesday, August 26th lab results, we are still getting hits of coliform in some areas of the city.
Water Supplements
We are still receiving water from Manchester. Supplemental chlorination pumps are active in 4 locations. Again, do not be alarmed if you are experiencing a slight increase in chlorine smell.
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Danny
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Danny is not expected to impact the situation in any manor.
Summary
The Boil Water order and outdoor water ban remain in effect. The DPW continues to investigate all possible causes that may have impacted the water supply.
Posted by: cpantano on 08/28/2009 15:19:09
Updated by: cpantano on 08/28/2009 15:19:09
Expires: 08/31/2009 00:00:00
WATER UPDATE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009, 12 NOON
BRIEF UPDATE FOLLOWS
Water Supplements
The DPW continues to run 2 supplemental chlorination stations, one in West Gloucester, one in East Gloucester, and will be installing 2 additional stations, one in Magnolia and one in the Eastern Point area. The Chlorine levels are rising in these areas so you may experience an increased chlorine smell from the water.
Bond Hill Water Level
The water levels in the Bond Hill storage facility are presently at 9’6”, with a 1’ 4” gain overnight.
Test Results from Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Test results from samples taken on Wednesday August 26 were received on Friday, August 28th indicate that the system is stabilizing. The results from Thursday, August 27th are expected to be available late afternoon on Friday, August 28th.
Information Updates
We now have a dedicated phone number together with a recorded message that any citizen can call at any time for an update. That phone number is 978…. The message will only be updated as the situation changes. If the message does not change you can assume the situation has not changed either. The city website has been updated. http://www.ci.gloucester.ma.us.
Impact on Schools
Schools will open as scheduled. Bag lunches will be served Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. School lunch menus will be printed in the Gloucester Daily Times and will be available on the school website. Complete arrangements have been made for drinking water for the students. Students will be allowed to wash their hands and immediately use hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizers will be available throughout the school. As soon as the boil water order is lifted, all water pipes and all the schools will be flushed.
Summary
The outdoor water ban and the boil water order remain in effect. Please note that the more inside water the citizens of Gloucester can conserve will more quickly resolve this situation.
Posted by: cpantano on 08/26/2009 12:02:24
Updated by: cpantano on 08/26/2009 12:06:15
Expires: 08/28/2009 00:00:00
WATER UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009, 12 NOON
Unified Command / Public Information Officer
The Unified Command system is in constant use with representatives of the Administration, DPW, Board of Health and Fire Department meeting as needed to evaluate the situational status and plan accordingly. The School Department has just come on board with the incident management team to plan for opening day. Deputy Fire Chief Miles Schlichte has been named as the Public Information Officer for the duration of this event. He will be working to get current and factual information out to the public with all available local media options including blogs. Â Media may contact Deputy Chief Schlichte via email at: mschlichte@ci.gloucester.ma.us.
Water Supplements
We are still receiving water from Manchester. This help from our neighbors along with the help previously received from our other neighbors has been crucial in helping us to manage this situation.
Water Main Break
Western Avenue which was damaged by the water break is being repaved today, August 26th.
Bond Hill Water Level
Water levels in the Bond Hill storage facility rose from 8.3 feet yesterday to 10.4 feet as of this morning. Continued water conservation from residents along with the influx of Manchester water is helping to raise the levels.
Test Results from Monday, August 24, 2009
Test results from samples taken on Monday and received 24 hrs later on Tuesday, August 25th indicate coliform levels comparable to the previous day. Levels are still not at an acceptable level. The Western Avenue water break negatively impacted coliform levels in the system by stirring up sediment in the pipes and was expected. We need to have two consecutive days of zero coliform readings in the entire system to lift the boil water order for the entire city.
Information Updates
There were technical difficulties in creating a dedicated phone line. Those problems have been corrected. We now have a dedicated phone number together with a recorded message that any citizen can call at any time for an update. Than phone number is 978-282-8080. The message will only be updated as the situation changes. If the message does not change you can assume the situation has not changed either. The city website has been updated. www.ci.gloucester.ma.us.
There is a continuous loop of a radio interview conducted by Rick Moore with PIO Deputy Schlichte running on MSO web radio at http://www.moorestuffonline.com.
Last night’s Council meeting was carried on Ch20 not CH12 as expected. We apologize for any confusion.
Impact on Schools
The incident management team is meeting today to plan for the opening of school. As it currently stands, school will open as scheduled. A plan to allow for meals and sanitary facilities is being created by the food service provider and the school administration in the event that the boil water order is still in place when the school year starts. A water flushing plan is also being put in place in conjunction with the school department plumber. This plan will initially consist of flushing of the water system around the schools via fire hydrants and a flushing of all interior water lines before school opens as well as supplemental flushing as soon as the city water system recovers.
Summary
The Incident Command Staff is meeting regularly and contingency plans are in place in case the situation should worsen, but things are slowly and steadily improving.
The outdoor water ban and the boil water order remain in effect. Please note that the more inside water the citizens of Gloucester can conserve will more quickly resolve this situation.
Posted by: cpantano on 08/25/2009 19:21:34
Updated by: cpantano on 08/25/2009 19:23:35
Expires: 08/30/2009 00:00:00
WATER UPDATE-TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2009, 6:00 PM
We continue to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to resolve the Boil Water Order.
Bond Hill Water Level
Progress continues in maintaining the water levels at Bond Hill and through continued water ban and conservation efforts we expect the levels to rise overnight. Increasing the levels at the Bond Hill water storage facility is crucial in ending the ban and boil water order. Please conserve water – the more you conserve, the faster we can get out of this
Good Morning Gloucester 