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Town of Marblehead
WATER AND SEWER COMMISSION
Public Water Supply
# 3168000
Dear Marblehead Water Customer:
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and Marblehead Water and Sewer Commission have prepared this 2021 Drinking Water Report to provide you with an annual update on the quality of water supplied to you by the Marblehead Water Department and the MWRA. Marblehead purchases all of its water directly from the MWRA. If you are interested in a detailed report of the Marblehead Water Department maintenance and operation, that information is included in the 2021 Marblehead Town Report.
The Commission reviews and approves a capital spending program which prioritizes and schedules water system upgrades to build upon system improvements being made by the MWRA and to stabilize rates. In 2021, the Commission utilized MWRA’s Local Water System Assistance Program to complete a second major water main upgrade in the Humphrey Street area. In addition the Commission completed the Tedesco Street Water Upgrade. The completion of these two critical projects has resulted in increased fire flow, more control over the distribution system, and improved water quality in the Town.
The water department also receives questions about lead in tap water. There is no lead in the water supplied to your home. Marblehead has no known lead service lines. A few Marblehead homes have galvanized iron services. These homes could have a short connection piece that contains lead (lead gooseneck). The Commission recommends that you contact the water department to confirm the year of installation and the material used for the water service. Other possible sources of lead in drinking water include corrosion of household plumbing systems such as brass fixtures and piping (which contains lead in the alloy) or lead solder.
Marblehead tests fifteen homes each year for lead and copper levels. The 90th percentile lead level for Marblehead was 1.67 parts per billion; this does not exceed the Action Level of 15 ppb. The 90th percentile for Copper was 112 parts per billion, below the action level of 1300 ppb. Along with residential homes tested, the Commission annually selects two schools to participate in the Lead and Copper Program. In 2016, Marblehead tested all of the public schools once and since 2016 has an additional public school selected to have all drinking water fountains and faucets tested for lead again. The results of each test from the school sampling can be found by using the links provided on the Marblehead water department’s web page, www.marblehead.org/water.
The Commission and its staff aim to keep its customers informed. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Governor’s order regarding open meeting laws, the Commission meetings are now conducted as a hybrid meeting allowing for remote participation. Anyone wishing to attend can join the meeting via video or telephone conference call. The meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month. Please visit the Marblehead website, www.marblehead.org, for public meeting information and agendas.
We hope that you will find this Annual Water Quality Report to Consumers interesting and educational. Please feel free to contact Superintendent Amy McHugh at (781) 631-0102 (email Water@marblehead.org) with any questions, concerns or comments.
Sincerely,
F. Carlton Siegel, Chairman
Updated June 14, 2022