Groundbreaking ceremony for new water treatment plant in Westfield

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission broke ground on Wednesday at the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant in Westfield.

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The commission is constructing the new plant to replace aging infrastructure, improve resiliency, and resolve ongoing water quality issues caused by climate change. According to the City of Springfield, this plant will serve 250,000 people in the region including Springfield. The new plant is scheduled to be complete in fall 2028 and will replace the existing treatment facility that was last modernized in 1974.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the commission will host a public Open House and facility tours from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be free buses available to and from the Open House for those who may not be able or wish to drive.

Mayor Domenic Sarno, the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, Senator Edward Markey, Congressman Richard Neal, and more will be at the groundbreaking.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a testament to what can be accomplished when we put real dollars behind our values. Delivering clean drinking water, creating hundreds of jobs, and strengthening environmental resilience in one of the largest public infrastructure projects Greater Springfield has seen this century,” said U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, “That’s why I was proud to partner with Senator Warren and Congressman Neal to bring $4.6 million in congressional funding back to Massachusetts to support this project, on top of a $250 million low-interest federal loan to ensure that every resident in Springfield and surrounding communities can turn on their tap and access clean, safe, fresh drinking water.”

“As a former Mayor, I know firsthand the work that goes into maintaining the world-class water we enjoy in the Pioneer Valley. Today, we celebrate yet another water infrastructure project that highlights the commitment of federal, state, and local government to invest in the sustainability and resiliency of our region’s infrastructure,” said Congressman Richard Neal. “This day comes one year after we celebrated another milestone with the completion of the York Street Pump Station. Both projects were great benefactors of the EPA’s WIFIA Program, and both are stark reminders of our historic legislative achievement in Congress with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – legislation that was drafted in the Ways and Means Committee under my chairmanship. I commend the men and women of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission whose critical work ensures the health and well-being of our communities and our environment.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno remarked, “I commend the Commission for reaching this exciting milestone. This project reflects the pride that Springfield has long held in its world-class water supply for over 100 years, and its constant vision and hard work towards building a better future. Water is essential to everyday life, to our economy, and to public health and safety, and the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant will ensure that our residents can depend on safe drinking water for generations to come.”

“The new West Parish Water Treatment Plant represents a decade of foresight, dedication, and hard work to create a water-secure future for the Springfield region,” said Commissioner Vanessa Otero. “The Commission extends its gratitude to Senator Markey and Senator Warren for securing valuable funding for this project, and to our partners at EPA and MassDEP for helping deliver critical financing to ensure that we can maintain sustainable rates while delivering one of the largest public infrastructure projects to take place in this area for quite some time. I also look forward to the many new career and apprenticeship opportunities that can arise from a project like this, serving as a transformative catalyst for people in our community.”

“EPA is proud to support this important step toward securing a resilient and sustainable water future for Springfield and surrounding region,” said Karen McGuire, Deputy Regional Administrator for EPA New England, “as we face the growing challenges of climate change and aging infrastructure, this project will help deliver reliable, high quality drinking water for families in the Springfield area.”

“Ensuring safe drinking water for Massachusetts communities is critical. Today’s groundbreaking of the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant is a huge milestone and a testament to the collaboration of federal, state, and local partners,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “Together, we have secured funding to make this project a reality and meet the highest public health standards to deliver clean, safe water to residents in Springfield and beyond. This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we work together to address complex environmental challenges.”

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