All Warren, Bristol, and Barrington customers may be affected as repairs are underway
The Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) met with Town and Fire officials from Warren, Bristol, and Barrington on Monday, April 15 at BCWA to address a leak that has been discovered in the BCWA East Bay pipeline which provides water from the Providence Water Supply Board. The current water quality and supply are safe for all customers to continue using. Water supply and pressure for fire protection remains ample. No water restrictions are currently in place.
Detection
The leak was suspected on April 10, at which time BCWA took immediate investigative action. It has since been working with local and state agencies to implement a repair plan. The pipeline appears to be leaking in an area that is approximately 10 feet–14 feet below the Port of Providence parking lot on the Providence side of the Providence River. Through the leak, BCWA is losing approximately 10 percent of its average daily water flow (approximately 300,000 gallons per day).
Repairs
If the exact point of leakage can be identified along an isolated location of the pipe, a clamp can be installed to repair the leak in a relatively short period of time. This would represent the most streamlined solution.
When the pipeline does need to be shut down to complete the repair, or if an unanticipated failure should occur, BCWA will switch to an alternative supply via the City of East Providence water utility. BCWA has a standing connection to East Providence for this type of need and has been in continuous communication with City officials. When BCWA does switch to the East Providence supply, it can be coordinated expediently following established protocol. This connection can supply up to 3.5 million gallons per day, which is equivalent to BCWA’s average daily flow (daily flow can be higher at times).
Water restrictions
Currently, BCWA customers are receiving the same water service as usual. As the leak is further defined, water usage restrictions may be put into place. When the backup supply from East Providence is needed, water restrictions will be implemented, such as no outdoor or unnecessary use. Restrictions could last 1-2 months, or longer, while the pipeline is repaired. Information will be provided to all customers.
Next steps
BCWA is working with its staff, engineers, and utility experts to address the leak. Excavation on the pipeline could begin on Thursday or Friday of this week. BCWA is also in conversation with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) as it evaluates and plans for all possible scenarios.
BCWA has additionally been working with the City of East Providence for the past year on the design of a much larger interconnection between their two water systems. This will provide both BCWA and the City of East Providence with increased redundant water supply in the case of an emergency or need for alternative supply. Construction on this 24” pipe is anticipated to begin next year.
BCWA will provide further updates as they are available.
From BCWA’s chairman
“Our customers should know we are doing everything possible to address this issue, and to limit the impact on them,” said Allan Klepper, BCWA’s chairman. “Water infrastructures are complex, and despite our many efforts to modernize and maintain the utility, leaks can occur. Our focus now is to pinpoint and repair the leak. I commend the efforts of all involved, including BCWA staff, Warren, Bristol, and Barrington Town and Fire leadership, the City of East Providence, and RIEMA, all of whom have been working tirelessly on behalf of our constituents to get this resolved.”
