Chelsea Community Letter 2022

Chelsea Water and Sewer Department is pleased to provide this annual newsletter to keep you informed about your water system.

Water Distribution System:

The City of Chelsea purchases all of its water directly from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The MWRA delivers the water to Chelsea’s distribution system through five MWRA master meters. Chelsea’s distribution system then delivers the water to homes, businesses, schools, and other facilities for drinking, fire protection and other uses. Chelsea’s water distribution system is comprised of approximately 56 miles of water mains ranging in size from six to 20 inches in diameter, approximately 575 fire hydrants, over 1000 mainline gate valves, and in excess of 5,100 service shutoff valves (“curb stops”). Upwards of 70% of the water mains in Chelsea’s distribution system are over 50 years old and an estimated 47% of the water mains are old unlined cast iron pipe. Unlined pipe allows tuberculation (rust) to grow on the inside surfaces of the pipe. While not a health problem, tuberculation restricts the amount of water conveyed by the pipes during firefighting operations, and can give the water a rusty or yellow/red appearance. These older mains are also more likely to break and require emergency repair.

Water Quality:

Chelsea monitors the water quality in our distribution system at 13 sites every week. These sites are tested for temperature, chlorine residual and Coliform bacteria. These samples were in compliance with regulations. For information regarding Chelsea’s weekly water quality and bacterial sampling results go to the MWRA's Monthly Water Quality Test Results page.

Water System Improvements

Scheduled improvements to the distribution system in the area of Willow Street, Watts Street, and Central Street are well underway. This work includes the replacement of older 6-inch and 8-inch unlined cast iron mains with new cement-lined ductile iron mains to improve water quality and fire protection. In addition, this project includes the abandonment of older parallel cast iron mains, transfer of service lines and hydrants to existing/remaining lines, and replacement of all lead service lines with copper. Downtown Broadway improvements designs are 100% complete. This work includes the replacement of 760 feet of 12-inch water main, 450 feet of 8-inch water main, 60 feet of 16-inch water main along with replacement of 850 feet of lead service lines. This project will go out to bid fall of 2023.

In 2022, due to drought conditions, Chelsea did not flush the water distribution system. In 2023, Chelsea is committed to flush both the high and low service areas of the water distribution system utilizing the unidirectional flushing plan that was created based on the hydraulic model of the system.

Lead in Drinking Water

The water in Chelsea’s mains is lead-free; however, lead can leach into the water from old lead pipes and/or solder, or the water service pipe connecting the building to the city water main in the street. Twenty residences and two schools are sampled annually to ensure lead does not exceed EPA action levels. In 2022, Chelsea’s testing indicated that we are below the Lead Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). The 90th percentile result for homes in Chelsea is 6.95 ppb. We also sample for copper and are below the Copper Action Level of 1300 parts per billion (ppb), with a 90th percentile result for homes in Chelsea of 114 ppb.

To reduce the potential for exposure to lead in drinking water, Chelsea began replacing the city-owned portion of lead service pipes many years ago. In 2017, we began replacing the non-city owned portion of lead service pipes during water main projects. In September 2018, the City embarked on a multi-year program to replace all remaining lead services in Chelsea at no cost to building owners. The city needs YOUR help to identify where these lead service pipes are located.

We are asking all Chelsea residents and businesses to check your water service and share your results. We are also looking for participants for our yearly sampling program. For assistance, please go to: www.chelseama.gov/public-works/pages/lead-service-replacement-program. Once you determine if you have a lead service line or not, please email Jorman Mota at jmota@chelseama.gov or dial 311.

Thank you,

Chelsea Water and Sewer Department