Reading Community Letter 2022

Dear Customer:

This 2022 Drinking Water Quality Report contains an annual update on the quality of drinking water supplied to you by the Town of Reading Department of Public Works (DPW) Water Division, in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The water delivered to you is of the highest quality and complies with all Federal and State regulations.

In 2022, Reading purchased all of its water, 623.11 MG (Million Gallons) from the MWRA. Reading’s average total daily usage of water for 2022 was 1.71 MGD (Million Gallons per Day). The highest single day consumption of water by the Town occurred on Sunday June 24th for 2.91 MG. The highest seven (7) day consumption of water of 19.71 MG occurred from Thursday July 21st to Wednesday July 27th. Each Reading resident has an average water use of 17,324 gallons annually, 1,444 gallons monthly or 47.46 gallons per day. A Reading resident’s average water daily use of 47.46 gallons is roughly 27% below the MassDEP limit of 65 gallons per day.

Reading’s Water Conservation Program, which emphasizes water saving devices, rebates and audits at no cost to Reading residents, continued with great success in 2022; 95 rebates totaling $4,760 to 77 residents for 12 energy efficient washing machines, 3 water efficient toilets and 80 rain barrels. Since the program’s inception in 2003, Reading DPW has given out 4,465 rebates totaling $633,025 to 3,785 Reading residents. For information, please call 781-942- 9077 or visit www.readingma.gov/public-works/water-division/pages/water-conservation-information.

In 2022, the Reading Water Department collected 10 weekly water samples for total coliform bacterial analysis. The Water Division found one Total Coliform positive sample in June 2022. 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 pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. When coliforms are found, we are required to re-sample that area. Re-sampling was performed and all the results were non-detect. Reading also tests annually for nitrites (NO2) and nitrates (NO3) as required by MassDEP. Reading’s 2022 results for these contaminants were all below regulated levels.

As part of MassDEP Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) Monitoring Plan Regulations, Reading Water Division sampled for lead and copper in the water from residential homes all over Town in 2020. As with our prior Triennial sampling years of 2017 and 2014, all of Reading’s LCR testing results were within regulatory limits. The 2020 90th percentile of all sample results was 4.96 ppb for lead, well below the Action Level (AL) of 15 ppb, and 86 ppb for copper, far below an AL of 1300 ppb. LCR sampling will take place again in 2023. Additionally, the Water Division continued to work with Reading Facilities & School Departments to maintain our Town’s LCCA (Lead  Contamination  Control  Act) Plan that tests and manages any lead and copper found in our school, public building or public drinking water fountains. Reading’s LCCA Plan   & Test Results can be found on the Town’s Website at: https://www.readingma.gov/public-works/water-division/pages/readings-lcca-lead-contamination-control-act-plan

For additional information on Reading’s water system, compliance or water quality programs, testing and results, visit our Water Quality Webpage: www.readingma.gov/water-division/pages/water-quality-supply. Reading’s Drinking Water Policies are set by the Board of Selectmen, which generally meets on the first, third and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Town Hall at 7:00 P.M. If you have any questions regarding your water quality, specific testing programs, your water service connections or our lead or copper test results, please contact Erik Mysliwy our Town’s Water Quality & DPW Safety Administrator via phone,781-942-9092 x1215 or better via email, emysliwy@ci.reading.ma.us.