by Kate Shunney
Contractor work for the Warm Springs Public Service District (PSD)’s planned upgrades to public sewer lines in the Biser Street area of Berkeley Springs caused water outages for residents in the area of the work last week.
It was the second week that digging work disrupted Berkeley Springs Waterworks lines and service.
In the early week prior to the Apple Butter Festival, a water main leak was reported on Biser Street, where contractors are working to install new sewer lines. Because of the break in the water line, residents were then under a Boil Water Notice between Tuesday, October 7 in the late afternoon and Thursday morning, October 9 when the notice was lifted. Residents were urged to use bottled water or boil their water for drinking, cooking and hygiene.
On Monday, October 13, public water customers were alerted that a water outage was in effect until 4 p.m. Service was restored that afternoon but a Boil Water Advisory was issued to customers, advising use of bottled or boiled water until further notice. On Wednesday, October 15 that Boil Water Advisory was lifted and tap water was deemed safe to use.
On Thursday, October 16, water customers in the area were alerted that there would be another water outage in the Biser Street area until 3 p.m. that afternoon.
By Friday, October 17, customers were told all water service had been restored and asked to call the Water Department if they were still experiencing low pressure or a loss of water.
Some residents affected by the water outage reported that they had to travel to friends’ or family member’s homes to shower or cook during the outages.
Work continues this week on sewer line upgrades on Biser Street.
