Everett Community Letter 2021

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The City of Everett in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) would like to present to you the 2021 annual water quality report.

Water Consumption: The City of Everett purchases all of its water directly from the MWRA. The average daily flow of water in 2021 was 3.80 million gallons per day. The single highest daily flow for 2021 was on June 9th 2021 in the amount of 5.0 million gallons.
The maximum flow week occurred from June 5th to June 11th 2021 in the amount of 32.18 million gallons.

Everett’s distribution system is comprised of approximately seventy miles of water mains ranging from two to twenty four inches in diameter, with seven hundred, twenty-five hydrants. There are approximately one thousand gate valves that allow isolated portions of the system to be shut down for repairs and maintenance. The system delivers water to homes, businesses and other facilities for drinking and fire protection.

Lead and Copper Results: The Everett Water Department tests for lead and copper once a year as required by the MassDEP. In 2021, the 90th percentile for all lead results was 15 ppb, meeting the lead Action Level of 15 ppb. Lead results ranged from 0.12 to 20.6 ppb. The 90th percentile for copper was 110 ppb, well below the copper Action Level of 1300 ppb. Copper results ranged from 4.3 to 120 ppb. Some homes built before the 1950s may still have a lead service line connecting the house to the water main. To find out if you have a lead service line and how to get it replaced, please contact the phone numbers listed below. The water department replaced over 121 lead water services in 2021.

Total Coliform Tests: To assure water quality and regulatory compliance, Everett and the MWRA collect 13 water samples each week and test for total coliform bacteria. 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. In September and October more than 5% of samples had total coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s) to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments. We completed both a Level 1 and Level 2 Assessment of our water system and sampling procedures. 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. The high coliform count was due to a much higher level of rainfall over the summer months, which increased the level of organic material in the water. The high level of organics reduced the level of available chlorine in the system.

Maintenance and Cross Connection Program: The water department replaced over 121 lead water services in 2021. We continued with the annual hydrant flushing program in April and October to remove sediments in the water mains and to check the physical condition of the hydrants. The valve exercising program was also continued. The Water Department replaced 12 hydrants, 5 inoperable gate valves and repaired 27 water leaks in 2021. The City also has a cross connection program in which backflow devices are tested annually or semiannually depending on the type of hazard to prevent contamination to the City’s drinking water system. Please call the Water Department with any questions pertaining to your water or to public meetings. The Department of Public Works Commission meets every second Thursday of the month in City Hall at 6:00 pm
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Kim Rauseo 617-394-2327
Tameka Walsh 617-394-2325
Ernest Lariviere, Water Superintendent

Updated June 14, 2022