Water Restriction still required as the town is running on only one well field.

CURRENT STATUS (updated 4/2/10 @ 7pm):

• Water Restrictions still required as the town is running on only one well field.
• Water is safe to drink.
• Floodwaters at Spectacle Pond are slowly receding. Wells still offline.
• No damage to fire station and all local roads open.
• Water Restriction duration likely two to three weeks pending drawdown of Spectacle Pond.
• FEMA assistance for private homeowners with damage from flood is available. Contact David Maher, Ayer economic development director, at 978-772-8206 or dpd@ayer.ma.us for referral information.

BACKGROUND TO INCIDENT

Water System Update / Use Restrictions Still in Effect

Extensive rain combined with a collapsed drainage culvert on state Route 119 in Littleton has caused Spectacle Pond to experience substantial flooding.

The water level of Spectacle Pond has encroached upon the three Spectacle Pond wells which supply the majority of Ayer’s drinking water.

Due to concern of surface water commingling with groundwater, and the threat of electrical failure due to high water levels, the wells were shut down on March 26 and will remain offline until it is safe to re-start pumping operations.

All town water is now being provided through the two Grove Pond wells. The town has a new pump on stand-by should the decommissioned pump fail. Grove Pond allows sufficient production of safe, potable water so long as conservation measures are followed.

Ayer’s water remains safe to drink, however compliance with the ongoing Water Restriction is required to avoid a shortage.

The town remains in a state of emergency due to the restricted water supply. Replacement of the culvert under Rt. 119, and reduced water levels in Spectacle Pond, are necessary prior to re-starting pumping operations.

Rt. 119 Culvert Repair

Mass. DOT is coordinating the Route 119 culvert replacement. Pumping to slow the pace of flooding and drawdown the water in Spectacle Pond is ongoing at the maximum possible capacity without flooding Gilson Road.

It appears that the replacement system will include a pair of 48” reinforced concrete pipe culverts with concrete headwalls. Piping materials are on site. Excavation has been initiated.

In response to neighborhood concerns the pond outlet invert will be at the pre-1995 elevation but include stop logs to control summer flows and ensure sufficient storage to the private and municipal wells along Spectacle Pond.

The general contractor is utilizing two, 12-hour shifts to prosecute the work. Town officials have been advised that completion of the pipe may take until late in the week of April 5 and perhaps longer depending upon unforeseen conditions.

Freight Rail Impacts

The Pam Am rail lines are still shut-down due to high water. The freight line provides the access route for coal to fire power plants in Maine.
Potential for Street Flooding / Ayer Fire Station

Water levels in the canal abutting the fire station have receded by over 18-inches from high water mark.

Streets are open. James Brook Way in Ayer still has some flooding but residents have accessibility from the town of Groton.

Ayer’s emergency management team continues to work in close coordination with other local, state and federal agencies. Twice-daily briefings have been scaled back and the next public briefing will issue on Monday, April 5 unless the situation warrants otherwise.

The Board of Selectmen receive ongoing reports to monitor the event and wish to thank the resident and corporate citizens of Ayer for continued water conservation.

CURRENT STATUS (updated 4/1/10 @ 7pm):

• Water Restrictions still required as the town is running on only one well field.
• Water is safe to drink.
• Floodwaters at Spectacle Pond crested early this afternoon and are slowly beginning to recede.
• Fire station remains dry due to sandbagging operation.
• West Main Street near Mechanic Street is closed.
• All other roads are open.
• Water Restriction duration likely two to three weeks pending drawdown of Spectacle Pond.

BACKGROUND TO INCIDENT

Water System Update / Use Restrictions Still in Effect

Extensive rain combined with a collapsed drainage culvert on state Route 119 in Littleton has caused Spectacle Pond to experience substantial flooding.

The water level of Spectacle Pond has encroached upon the three Spectacle Pond wells which supply the majority of Ayer’s drinking water.

Due to concern of surface water commingling with groundwater, and the threat of electrical failure due to high water levels, the wells were shut down on March 26 and will remain offline until it is safe to re-start pumping operations.

All town water is now being provided through the two Grove Pond wells. The town has a new pump on stand-by should the decommissioned pump fail. Grove Pond allows sufficient production of safe, potable water so long as conservation measures are followed.

Ayer’s water remains safe to drink, however compliance with the ongoing Water Restriction is required to avoid a shortage.

The town will remain in a state of emergency until the Spectacle Pond wells are returned to service. Replacement of the culvert under Rt. 119, and reduced water levels in Spectacle Pond, are necessary prior to re-starting pumping operations.

Rt. 119 Culvert Repair

Mass. DOT is coordinating the Route 119 culvert replacement. Pumping to slow the pace of flooding and drawdown the water in Spectacle Pond is ongoing at the maximum possible capacity without flooding Gilson Road.

It appears that the replacement system will include a pair of 48” reinforced concrete pipe culverts with concrete headwalls. Piping materials are on site.

In response to neighborhood concerns the pond outlet invert will be at the pre-1995 elevation but include stop logs to control summer flows and ensure sufficient storage to the private and municipal wells along Spectacle Pond.

The general contractor is utilizing two, 12-hour shifts to prosecute the work. Substantial excavation progress was made last night and today. The pipe installation will begin upon completion of final design. Town officials have been advised that completion of the project may take approximately two weeks or more depending upon unforeseen conditions.

Freight Rail Impacts

Adding gravity to the timetable, the Pam Am rail lines are covered with over approximately 13-inches of water, forcing the shut-down of a major freight line that provides coal to fire power plants in Maine.

Potential for Street Flooding / Ayer Fire Station

Water levels in the canal abutting the fire station appear to have crested and the water is flowing and receding.

Ayer officials continue to monitor streets prone to flooding including West Main St. at Mechanic St., Groton-Shirley Rd. near the game farm, and state Rt. 2A near the Ayer-Shirley town line. Currently, West Main St. is the only closed road.
The Ayer Fire Dept. has undertaken substantial effort to protect the fire station from potential flooding. To date, the station remains dry.

Ayer’s emergency management team continues to work in close coordination with other local, state and federal agencies and conducts a daily operations meeting. The selectmen receive daily reports and continue to monitor the event.

Extensive rain combined with a collapsed drainage culvert on state Route 119 in Littleton has caused Spectacle Pond to experience substantial flooding.

An extensive rainstorm over the weekend of March 12-14 combined with a collapsed drainage culvert on state Route 119 in Littleton has caused Spectacle Pond to experience substantial flooding estimated to be over four feet higher than typical high water.

The flood waters are approaching the thresholds of the structures containing the three wells at Spectacle Pond. These wells provide the majority of Ayer’s drinking water on any given day.

Due to the high groundwater Spectacle Pond wells were shut down as a precautionary measure on Friday, March 26. Additional measures to secure the well houses were implemented over the weekend although water levels continue to rise. The wells will remain offline until it is safe to re-start pumping operations.

Ayer’s water IS safe to drink and is being provided solely through the Grove Pond wells. As such compliance with the mandatory Water Restrictions implemented on March 28 is required.

As of today, a second well at Grove Pond has been returned to service. This allows sufficient production of safe, potable water to the community so long as conservation measures are followed.

It is anticipated that the town will remain in a state of emergency until operation of the Spectacle Pond wells can be brought online, however, repair of the drainage culvert at Route 119 is necessary to alleviate the flooding conditions and allow return to normal service.

Mass. DOT is coordinating work on Route 119 that includes: (1) increased pumping capacity to slow the pace of flooding in the pond, (2) hiring a contractor to initiate full replacement of the culvert with an improved system, and (3) coordination of engineering services to ensure integrity of the repair.

Town officials have been advised that completion of the repairs may take from 2-3 weeks and possibly longer depending upon unforeseen conditions.

The town’s water supply remains safe to drink, according to Town Administrator Shaun A. Suhoski.
 
Rising floodwaters have impacted operations at the Spectacle Pond wells and significantly reduced the daily production of water.  As a result, the Board of Selectmen voted in an emergency session on Sunday to implement an immediate Water Restriction applicable to business and residential consumers of the water system. 
 
“While the town is currently being served by a single well at the Grove Pond facility, the loss of Spectacle Pond capacity presents a serious daily deficiency in supply,” said Mr. Suhoski.
 
To spur business conservation, town officials met today with name-brand producers of Pepsi products, Aquafina water, Vitasoy tofu products, Cains salad dressings and mayonnaise, and the town’s largest institutional users.
 
“I was very impressed with the leadership pledge of these corporate citizens to make significant reductions in water usage during this time of emergency,” said Selectman Cornelius “Connie” Sullivan after the meeting.
 
The talks led to an immediate pledge to cut the town’s daily demand by up to 10 percent, or 130,000 gallons per day, according to DPW Supt. Daniel F. Nason, who added that participation by smaller businesses and all residential consumers is needed to further drive down demand until the Spectacle Pond wells can be operated without interruption. 
 
The town is also seeking other measure to enhance the water supply including expedited replacement of a second well at Grove Pond and a potential cross-connection  with Devens, he said.
 
Mr. Suhoski also noted that the town has implemented daily operational briefings to improve coordination locally and to ensure continued communication with the related repairs to a failed culvert at Rt. 119 inLittleton that has led to historically high water levels in Spectacle Pond.
 
The town has initiated so-called “reverse 911” telephone notifications through the Worcester County Sheriff’s Dept. and the Ayer School Dept. advising of the restrictions and that the water remains safe to drink.  Message boards acquired through MEMA have also been placed throughout town.
 
“Conservation and common sense” are the keys to working through the water supply reductions, said Mr. Suhoski.
 
Periodic updates and helpful hints for water conservation in private homes can be found on the town Web site -- www.ayer.ma.us -- which is updated daily.

The Board of Selectmen today declared an immediate Water Restriction covering all consumers of the public water supply.  This restriction is due to the shutdown of the town’s Spectacle Pond wells and the severely reduced capacity of the water system, according to Shaun A. Suhoski, Town Administrator.
 
“The water is safe to drink, however, all residential and business consumers must seek to immediately reduce water consumption in order to preserve the remaining water supply,” he said.
 
Selectmen Chairman Cornelius “Connie” Sullivan convened an emergency session of the board today at 1:30 p.m. to receive an update on the status of the water supply and the related repairs to a collapsed drainage culvert along state Route 119 in Littleton. 
 
DPW Supt. Daniel F. Nason advised the board that the culvert is the only outfall from Spectacle Pond and that its closure has caused upwards of four feet of additional water impoundment beyond typical springtime highs.  The high water table has forced the temporary closure of Ayer’s Spectacle Pond wellfield.
 
Given the prediction for a severe rain event on March 29 and 30, the Board of Selectmen continued a State of Emergency that was originally declared on March 16 and met with state and Littleton officials late this afternoon at the Littleton Police Dept.
 
“Today’s meeting with the state undersecretary of public safety and state fire marshall indicates that the Commonwealth has put a top priority on implementing the repairs on Rt. 119,” said Mr. Nason.  “In addition, the town is in close contact with the Mass. Emergency Management Agency and Mass. DOT to ensure availability of additional resources as may be needed.”
 
Some ways that residents can reduce water usage are to reduce shower time, do not run tap water while brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes, and flushing toilets only when necessary, according to Mr. Nason.   Local businesses are also included in the reductions.  He added that the ban on any outdoor use of water will be strictly enforced.
 
Mr. Suhoski indicated that the town implemented a “reverse 911” call through the Worcester County Sheriff’s Dept. and that MEMA-provided message boards will be deployed tomorrow to advise of the water restriction.  Also, a meeting with the town’s major water consumers is scheduled for tomorrow in order to secure reductions in use.