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City of Woburn, Massachusetts
Department of Public Works
50 No. Warren Street, Woburn, MA 01801
Tel. (781) 897-5990 • Fax. (781) 897-5989
Jay Duran, Superintendent
Public Water Supply
# 3347000
Dear Water Customer:
The Woburn Department of Public Works, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), supplies potable water to approximately 12,000 residential and commercial customers. This page provides information on the quality of water supplied through the municipal well field at Horn Pond during 2021.
| Horn Pond WTP | Capacity | pH | Alkalinity | Hardness |
| Treated Water | 4.07 MGD | 8.5 | 85.5 PPM | 87 PPM |
In addition to the above, the City obtains and tests samples from each well for volatile and synthetic organic compounds, inorganic compounds and bacteria. Within the distribution system, twenty-one separate locations are tested weekly or quarterly for bacteria, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, iron, manganese, lead and copper. Other sites are tested periodically. All testing sites are scheduled and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
Lead and Copper:
Woburn is required to test for lead and copper in the city’s drinking water annually. The 90th percentiles for both lead and copper were well below the Action Level specified by MassDEP.
| 90% Value | (Target) Action Level | (Ideal Goal) MCLG | # of homes that failed AL / # of homes tested | |
| Lead Copper | 2.12 ppb 146 ppb | 15 ppb 1,300 ppb | 0 ppb 1,300 ppb | 0 of 35 0 of 35 |
| Compound | Unit | MCL Highest Level Allowed | (We Found) Detected Level-Average | Range of Detections | (MCLG) Ideal Goal | Violation | How It Gets In The Water |
| Arsenic | ppb | 10 | 0.16 | 0-0.32 | NA | No | Erosion of natural deposits. |
| Barium | ppm | 2 | 0.014 | 0.002-0.02 | 2 | No | Common mineral |
| Fluoride | ppm | 4 | 0.70 | 0.40-0.70 | 4 | No | Additive for dental health |
| Sodium | ppm | NS | 120 | 80.0-150.0 | 20 | NA | Road salt |
| Nitrate | ppm | 10 | 0.5 | 0.01-0.5 | 10 | No | Fertilizer use; septic tanks, sewage |
| Haloacetic Acids - 5 | ppb | 60 | 15.2 | 3.7-22.6 | NS | No | Byproduct of disinfection |
| Total | ppb | 80 | 55.2 | 7.1-71.5 | NS | No | Byproduct of disinfection |
| Trihalomethanes | |||||||
| Nickel | ppb | NS | 0.899 | 0.865-0.932 | 100 | NA | Wastewater, landfills, smelting |
| Chlorine | ppm | 4 | 1.40 | 0.20-2.25 | 4 | No | Disinfectant |
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS):
Woburn PFAS6 quarterly average tests in 2021 were 13.4, 16.0, 24.0, and 22.0 ppt (parts per trillion), compared to the state standard of 20 ppt. Woburn received a Notice of Non-compliance (NON) for failure to stay under the PFAS6 20 ppt standard. The City is working closely with DEP on this issue. For more information please visit www.woburnma.gov or www.mass.gov/info-details/per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas#health-advisories-and-downloadable-fact-sheets-
Distribution:
Cleaning and re-lining of piping was carried out at the following sites: Charles Street, Church Street, Plympton Street, Scott Street, Chestnut Street, and Middlesex Street.
Cross-connection Control Program:
Please see the City of Woburn website at www.woburnma.gov.
Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP):
In 2003, the DEP conducted a Source Water Assessment to assess the susceptibility of the Woburn water supply. The DEP susceptibility rating was high. The City conducts an extensive monitoring program in and around its drinking water sources. The City is currently reviewing and revising the current SWAP. The complete 2003 SWAP report is available online at: https://www.mass.gov/lists/source-water-assessment-and-protection-swap-program-documents.
Meetings:
Water committee meetings are held by the City Council at City Hall. Public notice for these meetings can be found in the local newspaper, City Hall, and online at www.woburnma.gov. The City of Woburn is committed to providing clean and safe water to its residents, and will continue to implement improvements that will allow us to meet this goal now and in the future.
Updated June 15, 2022