GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Town Manager Mark Pruhenski has recommended a $500 town subsidy to Housatonic Water Works (HWW) customers in Housatonic who install, or have installed, a water filtration system to address water quality issues.

 

This subsidy comes from a $250,000 state economic growth and relief earmark provided to the town to assist customers impacted by the HWW water quality issues. The subsidy would be available only to HWW customers living or owning a business in Great Barrington/Housatonic.

 

The subsidy would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018, to help HWW customers who have already invested in filtration. The funding for customers is subject to proof of purchase and installation. The reimbursement would also apply to tenants who install filtration with the permission of a landlord.

 

The Selectboard will take up the matter for a discussion and decision at their meeting on Monday, June 26. HWW customers are urged to attend in person or via Zoom, to provide feedback on the plan.

 

"We are not sure how many HWW customers will be installing filtration systems, or have already installed them," said Pruhenski. "We have enough funding available for 500 customers." If fewer people seek the subsidy, more funds may be available later for those who did so.

 

The fund will be reviewed six months after the program launch to determine how to allocate any remaining money.