Canton Community Letter 2021

Canton Water Supply

Canton draws its drinking water from two sources, our local ground water wells and Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) limits the amount of water the Town can use to 2.67 million gallons per day. Canton used an average of 2.4 million gallons per day in 2021, with 50% supplied by MWRA, and 50% from our seven ground water wells. This report provides information about the water from MWRA only. For information about the water provided by Canton’s wells and treatment plant, please go to: www.town.canton.ma.us/261/Water-Sewer-Division.

Source Water Assessment

Public Works worked with MassDEP to prepare a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for our town wells. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies. While the susceptibility ranking for the system is high, Canton water supply protection controls meet DEP well protection regulations. The complete SWAP Report is available on line at: https://www.town.canton.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/4093/SWAP-Report.PDF. Consumers can help protect drinking water sources by practicing good septic system maintenance, taking hazardous household chemicals to hazardous materials collection days, and limiting pesticide and fertilizer use.

Water/Sewer Division Operation

Canton maintains and operates a drinking water supply and distribution system that consists of the James P. Moran Treatment Facility and three wells, the Edward M. Sullivan Water Treatment Facilities and four wells, 128 miles of water main pipe, five storage tanks, 1100 fire hydrants, 7300 service connections. Regular maintenance activities include water main flushing, hydrant replacement, valve exercising, meter inspection and repair, storage tank inspection, water leak repair. Canton also maintains an active Cross Connection Program, regularly inspects private and public facilities, and tests backflow devices to protect the water system from cross contamination.

Water Treatment

Canton makes every effort to provide safe and pure drinking water. To improve the quality of the water from our wells we aerate and filter the water to remove contaminants, we use chloramination as a disinfectant to protect against microbial contaminants, we adjust pH to reduce lead and copper levels, we add coagulant and filter to reduce iron and manganese levels, and add fluoride to aid dental health and hygiene. All components of the water treatment process are monitored by State certified operators through a computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA).

Water Analysis

Canton Water / Sewer Division along with the MWRA analyze water samples regularly to ensure the Town’s drinking water meets EPA and MassDEP water quality standards for contaminants. The Town of Canton is on an annual lead and copper testing schedule. One round that consists of 30 household samples and two samples from schools/early education centers. Over 30 samples were taken in 2021. The 90th percentile level for lead in Canton water was 3 ppb, compared to the Action Level of 15 ppb; and 110 ppb for copper compared to the Action Level of 1300 ppb.

As part of the MassDEP SWIG (School Water Improvement Grant), in conjunction with the Canton School Department, water bubblers were replaced with fill stations. In the beginning the Luce cafeteria bubbler had a lead result of 4.2 ppb, the Luce gym bubbler had a lead result of 2.8 ppb and the lower level of the Rodman bubbler next to the woman’s room had a lead result of 2.9 ppb. All amounts were under the DEP Action Level of 15 ppb, but we strive for a level of zero in the schools. After stations were installed with filters all had no detects for lead.

Capital Improvements

Public Works worked with an outside contractor in the replacement of 5,600 feet of water main on Greenlodge Street. We did 2,700 feet of water main replacement in the Edward Street, Sandy Avenue and Barbara Road neighborhood. We replaced 2,600 feet of water main in the Hillsview Street and Autumn Circle neighborhood. We also did 4,200 feet of water main between Highland Street, Pondview Road and Pond Street.

For the full 2021 Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report with information on Canton’s local sources, please continue to https://gemgrp.com/eReports/CNMA018290-1Y20. For any questions about the quality of Canton’s drinking water please contact:

Christopher Sykes Water / Sewer Supervisor                  781-821-5017

Renee Ruane Water Treatment Plant Foreman                781-828-4930