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City of Woburn, Massachusetts
Department of Public Works
SO No. Warren Street, Woburn, MA 01801
Td. (781) 897-5990 • Fax. (781) 897-5989
Jay Duran, Superintendent
Public Water Supply
# 3347000
The Woburn Department of Public Works, in conjunction with MWRA supplies potable water to about 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 2022. MWRA water quality information is contained elsewhere in this report. The following water quality data contains results based on annual testing performed in 2022.
| Horn Pond WTP | Capacity | pH | Alkalinity | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treated Water | 4.07 MGD | 8.6 | 82.9PPM | 89.0 PPM |
The City 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, quarterly or annually for bacteria, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, iron, manganese, lead and copper. All testing is scheduled and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Compound |
MCL |
MCLG | Detected Level-Average | Range of Detections |
Violation |
How It Gets In The Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic (ppb) | 10 | NS | 0.73 | ND–0.36 | No | Erosion of natural deposits. |
| Barium (ppm) | 2 | 2 | 0.016 | 0.014–0.018 | No | Common mineral |
| Fluoride (ppm) | 4 | 4 | 0.62 | 0.53–0.77 | No | Additive for dental health |
| Sodium (ppm) | NS | 20 | 112 | 103–121 | Yes | Road salt |
| Nitrate (ppm) | 10 | 10 | 0.31 | 0.24–0.38 | No | Fertilizer use; septic tanks, sewage |
| Haloacetic Acids - 5 (ppb) | 60 | NS | 16.98 | 6.2–19.5 | No | Byproduct of disinfection |
| Total | 80 | NS | 61.4 | 8.2–78.2 | No | Byproduct of disinfection |
| Trihalomethanes (ppb) | ||||||
| Nickel (ppb) | NS | 100 | 1.40 | 1.10–1.5 | NA | Wastewater, landfills, smelting |
| Chlorine (ppm) | 4 | 4 | 1.12 | 0.20–2.93 | No | Disinfectant |
| PFAS6 (ppt) | 20 | NS | 22 | 13–22 | Yes | Firefighting foams, manufacturing, coatings |
Lead and Copper Rule Testing:
Thirty one samples were taken for the 2022 lead and copper sampling round.
| Range | 90th Percentile Value | Action Level | MCLG | Samples Over Action Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (ppb) | 0.1–7.4 | 1.74 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Copper (ppb) | <3.75–130 | 112 | 1300 | 1300 | 0 |
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS):
Woburn has been given a Notice of Non-compliance for failure to stay under the PFAS6 standard. The City is working closely with DEP on this issue. For further information please visit www.woburnma.gov or: https://www.mass.gov/doc/massdep-fact-sheet-pfas-in-drinking-water-ques…. Some people who drink water containing these PFAS in excess of the MCL may experience certain adverse effects. These could include effects on the liver, blood, immune system, thyroid and fetal development. These PFAS may also elevate the risk of certain cancers.
Sodium:
Some people who drink water containing sodium at high concentrations for many years could experience an increase in blood pressure.
Distribution:
The Department of Public Works is continuing an aggressive policy of system maintenance and improvement. This includes continuing an intense City-wide valve maintenance and hydrant flushing program to remove sediments from the system and improve the operation of valves and hydrants along with cleaning and re-lining Charles, Church, Plympton, Scott, Chestnut, and Middlesex Streets. For information on our Cross Connection Control Program, see www.woburnma.gov .
Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP):
In 2003, the DEP conducted a Source Water Assessment to assess the susceptibility of the water supply within Woburn. The DEP susceptibility rating was high. The City conducts an extensive monitoring program in and around its drinking water sources, and is currently reviewing and revising the current SWAP. The report is available at https://www.mass.gov/doc/woburn-water-department-swap-report/download.
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, at City Hall, and at www.woburnma.gov. 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 9, 2023