Southborough Community Letter 2023

Public Water Supply
# 2277000

The Town of Southborough and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) are pleased to provide our customers with the 2023 Annual Water Quality Report. The report provides information on the drinking water the Town and MWRA supply to you daily. The Southborough Select Board are also the Water Commissioners for the Town. The Town website, www.southboroughma.gov, posts the Select Board agendas along with water reports and other water system information.
Water customers are encouraged to participate at Select Board meetings that discuss water issues.

SOUTHBOROUGH’S WATER SYSTEM:

The Department of Public Works (DPW) manages the Town’s water system. All of Southborough’s water is provided by the MWRA. The water flows into Southborough’s two pumping stations and is distributed throughout the water distribution system. Southborough’s three water tanks create the required pressure in the water distribution system. The Town pumped about 327 million gallons of water in 2023, an 11.62% decrease from the volume pumped in 2022.

WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE:

The Town’s Leak Detection Contractor performed the annual leak detection survey in 2023. The survey identified 4 hydrant leaks and 1 service leak at the curb stop. All were repaired timely. The Water Division performed the annual flushing program to remove pipe tuberculation and sedimentation in the last week of April and the first week of May. Throughout 2023 the Water Division employees performed routine system maintenance, as required. The Water System Master Plan was completed in April 2022.

BACKFLOW PREVENTION (CROSS CONNECTIONS):

Southborough’s Water Division continues to enforce the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) mandated cross connection control and prevention program under 310 CMR 22.22 through device testing and surveys. The Town performs cross connection surveys at businesses to ensure required backflow prevention devices are in place and working properly. Backflow devices are required on all lawn irrigation systems, even at residences.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEP) SANITARY SURVEY:

The DEP performed its triennial sanitary survey on Southborough’s water system in 2022. The two deficiencies that were noted were addressed in 2022.

WATER ANALYSIS:

The Town is required to sample 10 sites each month for the presence of coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria 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. No coliform bacteria were detected in the system in 2023.
The DEP requires that Southborough sample the water from three locations with vinyl-lined asbestos cement pipe each year for PCE (tetrachloroethylene).
This component was not detected in 2023. The Town also tests 20 sites once a year for the presence of lead and copper. Results are summarized below. Southborough does not have any lead water mains or lead water services.

¹ Results of 2020 testing. MFL=million fibers per liter.

Questions? Information on public meetings? Contact William J. Cundiff, P.E., DPW Superintendent, at the DPW (508)-485-1210