WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A proposed lithium battery energy storage facility in Westfield has sparked concerns from city councilors. Many are concerned about the potential environmental impact and safety hazards of such a facility. The Department of Public Utilities is looking to construct a lithium battery energy storage facility on Medeiros Way. The facility would be used to store and distribute energy, using lithium-ion batteries housed in about 219 above-ground containers. Some councilors are skeptical of these lithium batteries catching fire. "If one of these units catches fire, the fire cannot be put itself out, that usually takes two days some of these fires burn as much as 16 days," said Westfield City Councilor At-Large, Dan Allie. As the containers burn themselves out, Allie explains they could spread smoke, pollutants, and other harmful toxins. The project is to occupy a total of 12 acres on the 34 acre project site. It also involves the construction of two new electric substations and two underground transmission lines that connect with the existing Buck Pond Substation. City councilors are worried that if this facility is built over the Barnes aquifer it will impact the sole source of water for Westfield and surrounding neighborhoods. "It's really problematic most people in the area know what Westfield went through when it came to their water source and the PFAS that was put into that water source," expressed Westfield City Councilor At-Large, Brent Bean. "If we lose that then where would we get water, water is the basic element of all life and without water we won't sees to exist so it is very important," added Westfield City Councilor, Ralph Figy. A resolution has been drafted for the city council to vote on this December 19th. The resolution states that there must be a balance of clean energy progress with vigilant oversight to prevent environmental and public health harm from emerging technologies. Draft-ResolutionDownload We reached out to the Department of Public Utilities with city councilors' concerns about their project, but we did not hear back as of news time. Local News Headlines Advocacy groups threaten lawsuit for the legislature Proposed lithium battery energy storage facility in Westfield sparks concerns from city councilors Officials warn of holiday tree and candle fire risks Experts warn ice is not yet safe for winter activities WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.