Waltham Community Letter 2021

The annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is provided for your consideration. In cooperation with the MWRA, the Water & Sewer Division of the DPW presents facts about where your water comes from, how it is tested, and most importantly, what we do to maintain water quality. For additional information on local water projects, please visit the City website at www.city.waltham.ma.us/engineering. For information on public meetings visit the City website at city.waltham.ma.us or call 781-314-3120.

Our Water Distribution System:

The City of Waltham purchases all of its water directly from MWRA. The water is delivered through eight master water meters into the City’s water distribution system. The water distribution system consists of the network of water pipes, gate valves, fire hydrants and service laterals. The system delivers water to homes, businesses and other facilities for drinking and other uses. Waltham’s water distribution system consists of 170 miles of water mains, ranging in size from four to twenty- four inches in diameter. There are approximately 14,000 water service connections to homes and businesses. The City owns and maintains 1,600 fire hydrants. There are 3,300 water gate valves in the distribution system that allow us to control the flow of water and isolate portions of the system to be shut down for repairs and maintenance.

Lead and Copper Water Sample Results:

The Waltham Water and Sewer Division annually tests the water for lead and copper levels in 15 homes and two schools. The lead sampling results completed in September 2021 were below the DEP Lead Action Level of 15 ppb (parts per billion), with a result of 2.24 ppb. The cop- per result of 117 ppb was also below the Copper Action level of 1,300 ppb.

Total Coliform Bacteria Testing In Water Pipes:

MWRA and Waltham conduct 72 water sample tests each month for total coliform bacteria to monitor the water distribution system. The DEP requires that no more than 5% of the water samples in a month may be positive. 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 harmful, waterborne pathogen may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We exceeded the 5% threshold for total coliform bacteria in October 2021. We were required to conduct and completed one Level 1 Assessment, a study of the water system, to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessments to identify any problems that were found. We found low chlorine levels in some of our sample sites because of a lack of water use due to Covid-19, and we found that doing more system flushing corrected the problem.

Water Distribution System Maintenance and Improvements:

The Water & Sewer Division repaired and/or replaced 77 water services in 2021. Our crews replaced 55 hydrants and 13 gate valves were worked on. Through the Engineering Department and the Woerd Ave. Bridge replacement project a total of 100ft 12” and 2,500ft of 8” new water main with new valves was installed on Woerd Avenue, Nathan Road, Eddy Street, Everett Street and Main Street. We added two new fire hydrants, 1 on Woerd Ave and 1 on Everett Street. Annually the Waltham Fire Department checks every City owned fire hydrant for operability, then the Water & Sewer Division makes repairs to the out of service hydrants during the course of the year. For information relative to drinking water quality in the Waltham Public Schools please visit the website www.walthampublicschools.org/about/facilities/

If you have any questions on your water service or would like more information please call us at the following phone numbers:

Sincerely,
Michael Chiasson, Director of Public Works