Arlington Community Letter 2022

The Arlington Department of Public Works, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), is pleased to provide this annual water quality report to keep you informed about your water system.

Our Distribution System

Arlington receives all of its water directly from the MWRA. After traveling miles from the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs, and being treated at state of the art water quality facilities, your water is delivered through five MWRA master meters into the Town’s distribution system. Arlington’s distribution system is comprised of approximately 130 miles of water mains ranging from six to twenty inches in diameter, with approximately 1,400 hydrants.

Lead and Copper

Arlington annually collects and tests 20 water samples from high risk properties to test for the presence of lead and copper. The results of last year’s tests are included below. We receive many inquiries about lead in the drinking water. There is no lead in the water supply; however, lead can enter your tap water through contact with brass fixtures (which contain lead in the alloy), lead solder (which is now outlawed), old lead plumbing in the house or in the service line from the main to your house. If you are concerned you may have a lead service line, please contact the DPW at the number below. Questions about other possible lead sources in the home plumbing itself should be directed to a private plumber. The 2022 lead and copper results are below:

September 2022 Lead and Copper Results (ppb=parts per billion)

In 2021 Arlington agreed to enter into an Administrative Consent Order with Penalty (ACOP) with the MassDEP. The ACOP was related to the removal of lead service lines in our drinking water system. In 2022 Arlington met or exceeded the following ACOP requirements: 1) contacted all suspected private owners of lead service lines (LSLs) for the purpose of encouraging the removal of such lines, and; 2) performed a number of public lead service lines removals (10 to be removed or confirmed previously removed) prior to December 31, 2022. Additional removals are planned for 2023.

Asbestos Testing

Every several years, Arlington is required to test for asbestos in the water at a few approved sampling locations. The most recent testing results in 2023 reported “None Detected”. The next scheduled test will take place in 2031.

Water Main Upgrades

Each year Arlington works to replace aging water mains. In 2023, with help from the MWRA’s Local Pipeline Assistance Program, work will continue on: Broadway (Sunnyside to North Union), Decatur Street, Silk Street (Broadway to Michael Street), Gardner St. (Broadway to Fremont) and Hilton St. Additional locations are also being developed and will be communicated on the Town’s Website when finalized.

Updates to Water Meter Reading Technology Town-wide/ Water Meter Replacement Program

The Town of Arlington is continuing efforts to improve water service by completing a water meter replacement program and updating current meter reading technology. To date, approximately two-thirds of meters in Arlington have been replaced. Baystate Winsupply has been contracted by the Town to complete the installations. If you have received a letter requesting an appointment, please take the time to do so. These upgrades are mandatory and no fee will be charged to customers for this service. The Town is also taking this opportunity to complete a water service line material inventory. Any locations determined to be lead will be contacted for inclusion with the Town’s no cost lead line removal program.

If you have any questions or comments on the information presented, or want to learn about public meetings, please call us at the following numbers or visit www.arlingtonma.gov.

Thank you,
Michael W. Rademacher, PE
Director of Public Works