TOWN MANAGER UPDATES PUBLIC ON OCTOBER 1
On the afternoon of October 1, Great Barrington Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove sent out a lengthy update on the escalating emergency regarding Housatonic Water Works Company, the utility providing water to 850 customers in Housatonic and West Stockbridge, its inability to supply adequate water without a hook-up to the town’s Fire District water, and the utility’s failure to pay for that water. In the update she referenced ongoing work between the town, HWW, the state Department of Environmental Protection— which handles quality and safety of water — and the Department of Public Utilities — which handles rates and finances, and announced that the work now includes the Berkshire delegation, the state Attorney General’s office, and Kim Driscoll, the Lieutenant Governor, all trying to address the crisis.
As stated by Hartsgrove, the town’s “most immediate concern remains maintaining water quantity and pressure for HWW customers.” (See document #1 below)
Why are customers in danger of losing water quantity and pressure?
EXPLANATION OF THE CRISIS
Housatonic Water Works Company is quickly reaching an impasse with the Great Barrington Fire District due to non-payment of $100,000 for water provided over the past ten months. The District has threatened to shut off the hose through which HWW has been supplying water to its 850 Housatonic and West Stockbridge customers unless the company sets up a payment plan to reach that amount. A September 23 emergency meeting between the two entities resulted in a gap of $32,000 between what HWW is willing to pay and what the GBFD insists it must pay, and the District will meet again on October 6 to discuss disconnecting the water.
A water pressure problem is the reason the connection exists, as HWW could not maintain adequate flow on its own. The emergency water hook-up is conducted through hoses along Christian Hill Road, while the company’s main water source and aging treatment infrastructure are located at Long Pond. The hoses have been in place since the end of 2025 as HWW works through what Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove called, in her update to the public on the crisis, “filtration issues” in its own system. Customers have been publicly complaining about manganese build-up and brown water since at least 2018, and the state Department of Environmental Protection had been issuing fines to the company since 2016.
As reported by The Berkshire Edge on October 1, HWW has stopped construction on its new manganese treatment plant, per a September 30 filing with the Department of Public Utilities.
BACKGROUND
The fact that the utility was using Fire District water to meet customer need was not public knowledge until a few weeks ago, and that disclosure was sparked by another disclosure made at the special town meeting on June 29. Selectboard Vice Chair Eric Gabriel had spoken that evening in favor of keeping a $75,000 line item for Housatonic Water Works-related legal fees in the budget, which voters approved. After the meeting Fire District Prudential Committee member Will Brinker approached Gabriel to say that HWW hadn’t been paying its bills, owed roughly $80,000, and wasn’t answering emails.
The non-payment situation escalated over the summer and came to a head in September on both state and local fronts. On September 15, the MassDEP issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to HWW setting requirements for water quantity and pressure, and demanding that if HWW could not meet them, it was required to provide one gallon of bottled water per person per day to customers beginning October 1. Then on September 25, per Hartsgrove’s update, MassDEP told HWW, “that the agency does not have authority to compel the Great Barrington Fire District to continue supplying HWW through the temporary emergency interconnection. MassDEP further advised that it will not approve continued use of the emergency connection until HWW and the Fire District reach an agreement for continuous service and HWW incorporates that agreement into its operating procedures.”
Another wrinkle is the back and forth on the town’s possible takeover of the utility, which has been a live question for several years. A town-commissioned study in 2021 found the water treatment system needed $31 million in work, against a later appraisal valuing the company at $2.3 million. Two years ago HWW wrote to residents urging them to support a town takeover, but voters rejected that idea at a special town meeting in April 2025. At this point the state’s Supreme Judicial Court has asked the Department of Public Utilities to set a value on the company, which Peter Most tried to ascertain himself a few weeks ago. That proceeding is still open, but is now running against the possibility that the company will go under before a value is set.
THE LATEST
Back in Great Barrington the September 23 emergency meeting brought together the Fire District’s employees and Prudential Committee along with representatives of HWW and some other attendees, including Eric Gabriel. (Minutes of meeting are document #2, below.) Jim Mercer of HWWC, both in person at that meeting and by letter submitted the same day (Document #3, below) offered to pay $3,000 of what was owed, but Walter (Buddy) Atwood said that he “would like to see a much larger commitment from H.W.W.” Mercer insisted that his company was the brink of financial collapse and could not afford any more than $3,000, and in his letter claimed that if the company were made to provide bottled water to its 850 customers on a daily basis it would “face the prospect of being unable to continue as a going concern.” Prudential Committee member Will Brinker, for his part, warned that without payment, Great Barrington’s Fire District taxpayers may face a tax rate increase.
Ultimately the board voted unanimously to delay shutoff of the water on condition of three payments: $35,000 by September 25 at 10:00 a.m., $35,000 by November 3, and $35,000 plus accrued charges by December 1, with a one-week grace period on the latter two. September 25’s deadline has come and gone, more than half a dozen entities are scrambling to find a viable solution for water customers, and the GBFD meets again next week.
DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THIS STORY:
1)
Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove’s email on afternoon of October 1
TOWN PROVIDES UPDATE ON HOUSATONIC WATER WORKS, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO UNINTERRUPTED SERVICE
The Town of Great Barrington is working closely with state officials, regulators, and local partners to protect uninterrupted water service for customers of the Housatonic Water Works Company (HWW) and to advance a sustainable, long-term solution for the system.
Over the past several days, Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove and Town Counsel have been in active communication with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO), State Representative Leigh Davis, State Senator Paul Mark, and the Office of Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. The Town is also in continuing contact with the Great Barrington Fire District regarding the emergency water connection currently supporting the HWW system.
“Our focus is very simple: keep the water flowing, protect the people who depend on this system every day, and keep moving toward a long-term solution,” Hartsgrove said. “There are a lot of people at the table now, and that matters. We are grateful for the attention and engagement we are receiving from our state partners and for the willingness of everyone involved to keep working through a very complicated situation.”
Maintaining Water Service
The most immediate concern remains maintaining water quantity and pressure for HWW customers.
HWW has been relying on an emergency connection with the Great Barrington Fire District while addressing filtration issues within its own system. MassDEP has advised HWW that continued use of that connection requires an agreement between HWW and the Fire District for continuous service. The Town and its counsel are continuing discussions with the Fire District and state officials with the immediate goal of avoiding any interruption in water service.
The Town is also coordinating with MassDEP regarding contingency planning should an interruption occur. Under MassDEP’s September 15 order, responsibility for providing replacement bottled water rests with HWW if the conditions established by the order are triggered. The Town has nevertheless made clear that it is prepared to assist state agencies with appropriate logistical support to help residents if necessary.
State Agencies Actively Engaged
The Town is working across several state agencies because the immediate water-supply issue, regulatory requirements and the system’s longer-term future each fall under different areas of state authority.
The Attorney General’s Office is actively engaged with the Town and is participating in the ongoing DPU proceeding involving the valuation of HWW. Town officials and representatives of the Attorney General’s Office are scheduled to continue those discussions.
The Town is also continuing direct communication with DPU officials regarding the pending valuation proceeding and the broader effort to identify a sustainable path forward.
The Town has additionally been in communication with Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and the Town’s State legislative delegation Representative Leigh Davis and Senator Paul Mark regarding the urgency of the situation and the need for continued state coordination.
“This is exactly the kind of situation where coordination matters,” Hartsgrove said. “MassDEP has an important regulatory role. DPU has an important role. The Attorney General’s Office has an important role. Our state delegation and the Healey-Driscoll Administration have important roles. Our job locally is to keep those conversations connected and focused on the people who rely on this system.”
MassDEP Requirements Remain in Effect
MassDEP issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to HWW on September 15 establishing requirements related to maintaining adequate water quantity and pressure. MassDEP subsequently advised HWW on September 25 that the agency does not have authority to compel the Great Barrington Fire District to continue supplying HWW through the temporary emergency interconnection. MassDEP further advised that it will not approve continued use of the emergency connection until HWW and the Fire District reach an agreement for continuous service and HWW incorporates that agreement into its operating procedures.
If HWW cannot maintain the Fire District connection and cannot otherwise meet the requirements of MassDEP’s order, HWW is required to provide one gallon of bottled water per person per day to its customers beginning October 1.
The Town continues to monitor HWW’s compliance with those requirements in coordination with MassDEP.
Looking Beyond the Immediate Emergency
At the same time that the Town and its partners are focused on maintaining water service, work continues on the larger question that residents have raised for years: how to create a reliable, sustainable future for the Housatonic water system.
The DPU valuation process initiated by the Town continues. The Town is participating in that proceeding and will continue evaluating all legally and financially responsible avenues available for achieving a long-term solution.
“The immediate challenge and the long-term challenge are connected, but we cannot allow one to distract us from the other,” Hartsgrove said. “Today we need to make sure people have water. At the same time, we have to continue doing the work necessary to make sure this community is not facing the same uncertainty again next year or five years from now.”
The Town will continue providing public updates as additional information becomes available and as developments can appropriately be shared.
2)
Minutes of the September 23 emergency meeting, as provided to the Village Green by Selectboard Vice Chair Eric Gabriel.
Great Barrington Fire District
Minutes for Prudential Committee Meeting on September 23, 2026
Great Barrington Water Department
17 East Street Great Barrington MA 01230
Board Members and Employees Present:
Walter Atwood Chairman – Prudential Committee
Kenneth Schumacher Treasurer – Prudential Committee
Robert Hammer Member – Prudential Committee
William Foster Member – Prudential Committee
William Brinker Member – Prudential Committee
Pete Marks Superintendent
Cynthia Ullrich District Clerk
Guests in Attendance:
James Mercer HWW – Treasurer
Bruce Collingwood
Ed Abrahams 15 Pleasant Street
Eric Gabriel Selectboard Member
Sharon Gregory (arrived at 4:37) 32 Hollenbeck Avenue
Chairman Walter (Buddy) Atwood called the meeting to order at 4:30 P.M.
JM emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that there is a need for water. He acknowledged receipt of the interim agreement regarding the permanent water system interconnection (attached). He also spoke briefly about the continued emergency water service and proposed payment agreement (attached). he submitted to the Board.
JM quoted a provision from the District’s Acts and Resolves: “The Great Barrington Fire District may supply any of the inhabitants of the Town of Great Barrington with water for domestic and other purposes, upon such terms as the district may determine.” JM stated, “We’re challenged. We would pay if possible.”
JC [sic] stated that he has been monitoring the flow at the H.W.W. plant and reported that the use of District water is gradually decreasing.
WF stated that the proposed payment plan of $3,000 per month was insufficient and that, at that rate, H.W.W. would not be able to bring its account current.
WA reminded JM of the Board’s fiduciary responsibility of the board to the Great Barrington Fire District Residents, and he would like to see a much larger commitment from H.W.W.
WB stated that the Board appreciates the concerns regarding the residents of Housatonic; however, the GBFD Commissioners have a fiduciary duty to the taxpayers and customers of the district.
WB noted that Housatonic Water Works Company (H.W.W.C.) has made no meaningful effort to reconcile the amount of money currently owed to the district. At the last meeting, Mr. Mercer stated that he could not sign any agreements or contracts due to legal ramifications, regulations, orders, litigation, and other concerns. However, H.W.W.C. is now requesting that the district provide assurances to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on H.W.W.C.’s behalf.
WB further stated that, according to the bylaws and policies of the district, past-due accounts are subject to shutoff. If H.W.W.C. was not aware that payment would be required, WB questioned why this issue was not addressed before almost ten months had passed. WB also questioned why there had been no communication regarding H.W.W.C.’s inability to enter into an agreement concerning the interconnection before the district extended more than $100,000 in credit to H.W.W.C.
WB stated that without payment from H.W.W.C., the district’s budget will be significantly affected and may require an increase in the tax rate for GBFD taxpayers in the upcoming fiscal year.
WB made a motion to delay the water shutoff date provided that the district receives a payment of $35,000 by Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:00 A.M.; a second payment of $35,000 by November 3, 2026; and an additional payment of $35,000, plus any additional charges accrued, by December 1, 2026.
WA amended the motion to include a one-week grace period for the November and December payments. If payment is not received within the applicable grace period, the water service will be shut off. WF seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
3)
HWWC LETTER TO GBFD, SEPT 23, 2026
Amazing story!