Chelsea Community Letter 2021

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Chelsea WSD is pleased to provide this annual newsletter to keep you informed about your water system.

Our Water Distribution System

Chelsea’s water distribution system is comprised of approximately 56 miles of water mains ranging in size from six to 20 inches in diameter, approximately 575 fire hydrants, over 1,000 mainline gate valves, and in excess of 5,100 service shutoff valves (“curb stops”). Upwards of 70% of the water mains in Chelsea’s distribution system are over 50 years old and an estimated 47% of the water mains are old unlined cast iron pipe. Unlined pipe allows tuberculation (rust) to grow on the inside surfaces of the pipe. While not a health problem, tuberculation restricts the amount of water conveyed by the pipes during firefighting operations, and can also give the water a rusty or yellow/red appearance. These older mains are also more likely to break and require emergency repair.

Ongoing Maintenance

In 2021, in order to decrease pipe tuberculation and improve water quality, Chelsea flushed the low service area using a unidirectional flushing plan created using the hydraulic model of our water system. We plan to flush both the high and low service areas using the same methods going forward.

Water System Improvements

Chelsea replaced old water mains and other components of the distribution system in many locations throughout the city, including a continuation of work on portions of Upper Broadway and the addition of critical valves and hydrants on Beacham St. and Williams St. We completed designs for improvements on portions of Downtown Broadway, Willow St., Watts St., and Central St. This expenditure represents a substantial commitment by the City Council, the City Manager, and the Department of Public Works to continue to improve the quality of your drinking water and firefighting capacity.

Water Quality

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 that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. After a hotter than normal summer season, which leads to higher water temperatures, we found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in our distribution system. When this occurs, we are required to conduct level assessments to identify potential issues.
Level 1 and 2 Assessments are very detailed studies of the water system to identify potential problems and to determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria were found in our water system on multiple occasions. During the past year, we were required to conduct both a Level 1 Assessment and a Level 2 Assessment for our water system. Both of these assessments were completed. In addition, we established 15 corrective actions, 12 of which have been completed; the remaining are scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2022.

Lead in Drinking Water

The water in Chelsea’s mains is lead-free; however, lead can leach into the water from lead service pipes connecting the building to the city water main in the street, lead solder, or older brass faucets. A total of 15 residences and 2 schools are sampled annually to ensure that lead and copper levels do not exceed E.P.A. action levels. In 2021, Chelsea’s testing indicated that the drinking water was below the lead Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). The 90th percentile result based on all samples taken in this sampling round was 11.1 ppb, below the Action Level.

We also sample for copper and the 90th percentile for copper was 151 ppb, below the copper Action Level of 1,300 ppb. We are always seeking additional participants for our sampling program. If you have a lead service line and would like to participate in the annual sampling program, please contact the Chelsea DPW by email: scallahan@chelseama.gov or dial 311.

To reduce the potential for exposure to lead in drinking water, Chelsea began replacing the city-owned portion of lead service pipes many years ago. In 2017 we began replacing the non-city portion of lead service pipes during water main projects. In September 2018, the City embarked on  a multi-year program to replace all remaining lead services in Chelsea at no cost to building owners. Through this program 79 lead services were replaced in 2021. The city needs YOUR help to identify where these lead service pipes are located.
We are asking all Chelsea residents and businesses to check your water service and share your results. For assistance making this determination, please go to: www.chelseama.gov/public-works/pages/lead-service-replacement-program. Once you determine if you have a lead service line or not, please email RWright@chelseama.gov.

Billing and Cross Connection Control

For information regarding your water bill, final reading, to schedule water service turn off/ turn on, or to schedule a test of the backflow prevention devices located on your property contact us by dialing 311. If you have questions or want further information about this letter, your water, or about public meetings, please contact Shavaun Callahan, Primary Operator, Compliance Manager: scallahan@chelseama.gov.

Thank you,

Chelsea WSD 

Updated June 14, 2022