Quincy Community Letter 2021

As the Commissioner of Public Works, it is my pleasure to provide you with this annual letter to keep you informed about our water distribution system.

Our Distribution System

The City of Quincy purchases all its water directly from the MWRA. The water is delivered through five MWRA master meters into the City’s distribution system. The system, which consists of a network of pipes, valves, hydrants and service lines, delivers water to homes, businesses and other facilities for drinking and other uses.

Our system is comprised of approximately 238 miles of water mains ranging from four-inch to twenty-inch in diameter, with 2,549 hydrants. There are thousands of gate valves that allow us to isolate portions of the system for repairs and maintenance.

An estimated thirty percent of the pipes in our system are unlined cast iron pipes over 85 years old. Last year, we completed a $6.9 million dollar project for the replacement of 4.1 miles of water mains throughout each ward of the City. In the past 4 years, the City has expended $27.5 million dollars to replace an estimated 17.6 miles of water main on 124 roadways.

Lead and Copper Results

One of our Department’s continuing, primary goals is to provide safe, clean water to all residents and businesses. Each year we test for lead in 15 homes that have a known lead or a lead-lined service. In September 2021, the 90th percentile for lead based on all results for the City was 14.4 ppb (parts per billion), under the lead Action Level (AL) of 15 ppb. The 90th percentile for copper was 111 ppb, under the AL for copper of 1,300 ppb. Only 1 of the 15 homes sampled exceeded the lead AL of 15 ppb. The Department has identified a total of 63 water service connections through historical record that may have a lead or lead-lined service. The City’s Lead Service Replacement plan states that the City will be required to remove the identified remaining service connections over a period that shall not exceed 11 years. This Program protects our children and improves the health of our community. Additional information is available at our website: https://www.quincyma.gov/govt/depts/pwd/sewer_n_water/lead_or_lead_lined_water_service/default.htm.

Total Coliform Tests in Community Pipes

Each month we test 28 locations and submit 112 samples for total coliform bacteria to monitor the distribution system. The EPA requires that no more than 5% of the samples in a month may be positive. During 2021, only one of our 1,371 samples tested positive, and all required repeat samples tested negative.

If you have any questions, or if you need any additional information on public meetings, please visit our website: www.quincyma.gov or call Water/Sewer Operations Manager Neil McCole at (617) 376-1371.