ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — Attleboro's water superintendent has stepped down, just days after the mayor partially blamed the city's ongoing water supply emergency on "oversight and communication issues." Kourtney Allen officially resigned on Monday. Her departure comes as the city scrambles to bolster its dangerously low water supply. Mayor Cathleen DeSimone explained in a letter to residents last week that human mistakes, plus a historic lack of seasonal rainfall, led to "an unplanned, avoidable and totally unacceptable water loss" over the summer. Specifically, DeSimone said Attleboro's water supply primarily comes from the Manchester Reservoir and Orr's Pond, which tends to have high manganese levels. To rectify this, the city "blends" the pond water with the reservoir water through an underground aqueduct, she added. DeSimone said an automatic valve was opened up in the Manchester Reservoir in June to begin the blending process. While water loss is expected during this process, DeSimone said the reservoir dropped approximately seven feet in seven weeks. The substantial water loss caused by this open valve was not addressed by the city's Water Department until July, according to the mayor. The situation became much more dire in November, when a lack of seasonal rainfall dropped the reservoir to historically low levels and forced the city into a water supply emergency. "Although the drought was going to diminish our water supply in any event, the water that was lost in June and July could have helped us mitigate some of the drought’s impact," she explained. DeSimone said she didn't learn of the Water Department's mistake until early December, when two Water Department employees came forward. "I asked several times for an explanation as to how the valve issue went unaddressed for several weeks," DeSimone said. "No satisfying explanation was provided. It was very apparent, however, that although the water loss was unintentional, the problem occurred and lingered because of a lack of oversight and communication." DeSimone said the reservoir is considered full when it reaches 145 feet. But on Thursday, water levels were below the 138-foot marker. She expects the water supply emergency to continue well into the new year. The water supply emergency was extended through May 2025 in late November and could continue beyond that "depending on the amount of precipitation in the upcoming weeks and months." It's unclear exactly why Allen decided to step down. 12 News reached out to her regarding her decision but has not yet heard back. Meanwhile, DeSimone said the city is now in the process of hiring Allen's replacement. DeSimone said a consultant will also be contracted to help the assistant water superintendent oversee the department's ongoing projects, including the city's interconnection lines with Mansfield and Pawtucket. Attleboro residents are urged to continue to take simple steps to conserve water, such as turning off faucets while washing hands, brushing teeth, or doing dishes. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW