Gerena School leaks identified

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The city of Springfield's made progress in identifying the water leaks at the Gerena School in the city's north end.

The Parks and Buildings department updated neighbors about the improvements they've made to the school.

The water damage is obvious in the tunnels that where students enter from beneath Birnie Ave and the railroad tracks.

The water's been leaking for years, but they finally found out where it's coming from.

"Not from groundwater. But from either the highway or from Birnie Avenue, or as in the "Tunnel C" case, from a catch-basin area. We've also completed the security doors for the tunnel at the two staircases in the atrium." Said Executive Director Patrick Sullivan.

In addition to finding and eliminating the water leaks, the building department wants to ensure the air in school is healthy and breathable.

Patrick Sullivan told 22News the school district's heating and ventilation crews have reduced asthma in the school system by four percent.