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Blackstone commission to ask Woonsocket City Council for details on firefighting runoff and testing
Summary
After discussion of firefighting runoff from a Woonsocket mill fire that may have discharged treated firefighting water into the river downstream of Blackstone, the Commission voted unanimously to send a letter requesting details and testing results from the Woonsocket City Council.
Commissioners discussed reports that firefighting water used to fight a mill fire in Woonsocket had been pumped and treated at Woonsocket’s water treatment facility and that treated firefighting residue had been discharged into the river downstream of Blackstone/Town Harris Pond. Members questioned what contaminants might have entered Harris Pond and what testing and treatment steps Woonsocket undertook.
Chair asked whether the Commission wanted the agent to send a formal request for information to the Woonsocket City Council. Speaker 3 and others supported a written request for documentation of what was pumped, how it was treated, any test results, and any transportation or stabilization records for hazardous materials. The Commission voted unanimously to have the agent draft and issue a letter requesting all relevant information, to be reviewed and signed by members as needed.
The Commission emphasized it may pursue further inquiries depending on the response and any sampling data. The agent will draft the letter and coordinate with members on its final wording before sending.
