Selectboard declares emergency over water works

The Great Barrington Selectboard adopted a Declaration of Local Emergency on Oct. 14 concerning the Housatonic Water Works, a privately owned company that serves approximately 850 water connections in town, the Town of Great Barrington announced Oct. 16.

The declaration responds to ongoing operational and financial challenges at the water company, along with uncertainty over the continued availability of supplemental water from the Great Barrington Fire District. The town said these factors have raised concerns about the reliability of essential water service.

Officials emphasized that Housatonic Water Works continues to provide service and that the declaration does not mean service has been interrupted or that a new drinking-water safety advisory has been issued.

The declaration directs the Town Manager, working with emergency-management officials, to coordinate contingency planning in case service is interrupted. That planning includes identifying vulnerable residents and facilities, exploring emergency water distribution, assessing impacts on public health and essential services, and setting up procedures for public communication.

The Selectboard also renewed its call for state intervention, building on earlier public statements urging Gov. Maura Healey to act. The board acknowledged engagement already provided by the Governor's Office, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Utilities, the Attorney General's Office and the town's legislative delegation.

Any municipal expenditures, contracts or financial commitments tied to the emergency must now be presented at a posted Selectboard meeting before the town enters into them. The declaration does not transfer ownership, operational responsibilities, debts or regulatory obligations from Housatonic Water Works to the town, and does not commit the town to acquiring the utility.

The Selectboard plans to review the declaration monthly to decide whether to continue, modify or end it. Residents and businesses are urged to continue following official communications from Housatonic Water Works and state regulators regarding their water service. The signed declaration is posted on the town's Housatonic Water Works information page.

Source: Town of Great Barrington announcement, October 16, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.