Boston Community Letter 2021

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Dear Customer:

This report contains an annual update on the quality of drinking water supplied to you by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC), in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Inside this report, there is detailed information on the MWRA’s system, and how the water delivered to Boston complies with federal and state quality standards.

BWSC continues to provide excellent drinking water to our customers through the investment of millions of dollars in upgrades to our infrastructure. The water provided by BWSC from the MWRA is lead-free when it leaves the reservoirs. The majority of distribution pipes that carry water to homes are made of iron and steel. We care about lead because infants and children who drink water containing lead could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

The Commission entered into an Administrative Consent Order with MassDEP on October 5, 2021, to remove lead services from both private property and the public way. In our 2021 sampling of higher risk homes, BWSC lead results were 17.4 parts per billion (ppb), with samples from 4 homes above the Lead Action level of 15 ppb while our copper results of 117 ppb were well below the Action Level of 1300 ppb. BWSC initiated a program under which customers can call our Lead Hotline to schedule an inspection, thus providing BWSC the ability to access private properties to inspect the water service pipes to determine whether they are composed of lead. In 2021, BWSC received over 1,100 customer requests to have their water service pipe inspected for lead, resulting in 445 lead replacements. BWSC offers a Lead Replacement Incentive Program which offers up to $4000 to qualified homeowners to remove private lead pipes. For additional information call the lead hotline at (617) 989-7888.

In the Spring of 2022, Boston was required to carry out an additional round of lead sampling. The 90th percentile was 9.76 ppb, well below the lead Action Level.

Following routine water sampling in October 2021, BWSC found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treat- ment or distribution. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be present, or a potential pathway that may allow contamination to enter the drinking water distribution system. We were required to conduct and complete a Level 1 assessment which is a study of the water system to identify potential problems, and to determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found. In the October sampling, 280 tests were performed with 16 test results showing Coliforms present. Of the 60 primary sampling sites, 6 primary and 3 secondary sites in the test areas came back with total coliform present. When the testing exceeds the regulated 5% criteria an assessment is required. Based on the assessment findings, we took required actions at these locations by performing extensive flushing of the water system for better circulation which reduces total coliform from forming. The testing in November and December did not exceed the 5% criteria.

Any questions regarding information in this report or commission meetings may be directed to BWSC’s Communications and Community Services Department at (617) 989-7888. Please visit our website www.bwsc.org to learn about the programs we offer.

Sincerely,
Henry F. Vitale, CPA

Executive Director/Treasurer

 

Updated June 14, 2022