Westport Water Sewage Leak UPDATE
The Town has continued to work closely with the Department of Public Health and "DEEP" Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP). The Westport Weston Health District took multiple water samples this morning from the various beaches. The samples were sent to the state lab for testing. This test typically takes 24 hours as it requires culturing the bacterial samples. Westport has requested that the state lab expedite the return of the results.
The WWHD made great efforts to ensure the safety of the residents. They checked the area for private wells in the area of and downstream from the spill. They were unable to find any private wells in the area and believe the properties in the area to be on the public water supply.
As was stated in yesterday’s update, there has been no further evidence of an additional leak since the evening of the break. It appears that the efforts put forth by the Department of Public Works to mitigate and eliminate the spill were successful. It is not possible to quantify the spill due to the number of variables that contribute to the dynamic flow volume. We believe that the quick action on the part of the DPW to shut down the pumps, isolate the area by closing valves, and immediately using vacuum trucks followed by larger trailer-mounted pumps was a contributing factor to minimizing the spill.
The new permanent pumps were on schedule to be completed in two weeks. The Westport DPW is working to expedite this completion. In the meantime, the temporary solution that was put in place is adequate and will remain in place until the new pumps are operational. Town officials certainly understand the impact that closing the waters has had on the residents and businesses. We felt it necessary to do everything within our power to observe an abundance of caution to protect the health and well-being of everyone in the impacted area and are doing everything possible to ensure that the waters are restored to their normal state.
We thank the residents and businesses for their understanding and cooperation through this process.
Additional questions or comments should be addressed to Public Works Director Pete Ratkiewich (pratkiewich@westportct.gov) or Assistant Chief Matthew Cohen (mcohen@westportct.gov).