Dear Pascoag Water Customer,
As I sit here in my office on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, the entire staff and I are sure all of you, are both shocked, saddened and angry over the cowardly attack on our country. Our sincerest condolences to everyone who has been touched by this terrible national tragedy and we pray for our leaders and the men and women of our armed forces as we go forward.
Closer to home, I want everyone to know that we continue to work on the water situation effecting you here in Pascoag. As you hopefully saw the RI DEM has cited the Main Street Mobil Station and also the Town of Burrillville. These citations will further pinpoint, with a very high degree of accuracy, the source of our drinking water contamination.
I want to thank the staff of the Pascoag Utility District for putting in very long hours while exhibiting a high degree of professionalism. However, I want especially to thank you, those most effected, for your patience and understanding, support and your faith in all of us who are working towards a satisfactory resolution of this nightmare we are all living on a daily basis.
I am currently working with the Town of Burrillville regarding an advance of $200,000, to be reimbursed with CDBG Grant money next summer. A special “Thank You” to Mike Wood for all his help. Additionally, we are looking to the USDA and others, such as the Champlin Foundation and the Governor’s Office for financial relief. MTBE related costs to date are approximately $40,000 and climbing. As you can see we need help. This is not a short-term problem! I feel we are talking, at least months before complete resolution is reached. The Harrisville water is a giant step, we hope, towards this end BUT it is, again, only one step in a multi-step process. Many sincere thanks to the HFD Operating Committee!
There will be bottled water available to our customers on Saturday September 21st from 9AM until 12 Noon. We will be handing out the remainder of the water from Staples and Poland Springs and hopefully, we will have additional bottles available from Stop and Shop by then. At least 12 half-liter bottles will be given to each customer, more if available. Please watch the papers and www.pfd.org for updates.
Ted Garille – General Manager