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TOWN OF STONEHAM
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
16 PINE STREET
MAIN OFFICE: 781-438-0760
Water Dept: 781-438-2583
Fax: 781-438-8183
Public Water Supply
# 3284000
Dear Water Customer:
The Stoneham Public Works Department is pleased to provide this annual newsletter to keep you informed about your water system.
Our Distribution System:
The Town of Stoneham purchases all of its water directly from the MWRA. The Water Department maintains a network of nearly eighty miles of water mains. To maintain system integrity, Stoneham has an aggressive water main replacement program. During the past year, over 21,275 linear feet of water main pipe was replaced. The majority of the pipe replaced was originally installed in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Much of the old piping had significant buildup of iron and mineral deposits, replacing this piping will lessen water discoloration and decrease water main breaks. We also replaced water services, carried out a system wide meter replacement and testing program, and performed an annual flushing of all water mains. Our annual system wide leak detection survey was completed. This survey helps us identify and correct points of water loss in the system. A 12-inch water main on Main Street from Elm Street to Maple Street was cleaned to remove pipe tuberculation and lined to prevent further pipe corrosion. This process will improve the water quality of the Town’s water.
Lead and Copper Results:
Our Water Department receives many questions about lead in tap water. There is no lead in the water supplied to your home. However, lead can enter tap water through contact with brass fixtures (which contain lead in the alloy), lead solder (formerly used in plumbing work), other lead fixtures in the house or possibly through the service lines - the pipe running from the house to the water main in the street. In accordance with federal standards, Stoneham tests for lead in tap water in twenty local homes annually. The 90th percentile level for Stoneham was 8.69 parts per billion (ppb), which is below the action level of 15 ppb. One sample was 23.4 parts per billion (ppb) which was above the 15 parts per billion (ppb) action level and corrective action was taken immediately to remove the lead service line from the distribution system. If you would like to find out if you have a lead service line and how it can be replaced, please contact the phone number listed above. For more information about the potential presence of lead in tap water and steps that may be taken to reduce exposure, please see page 5, or contact the Stoneham Board of Health. Every school sink and fountain has been tested for lead, and results are available for each school.
| Range | 90th Percentile Value | Action Level | MCLG | Samples Over Action Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0.14–23.4 ppb | 8.69 ppb | 15 ppb | 0 ppb | 1 of 20 |
| Copper | 28.3–171 ppb | 145 ppb | 1300 ppb | 1300 ppb | 0 of 20 |
Total Coliform Tests:
To ensure your water is safe, seven sites are sampled and tested for total coliform bacteria each week. 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. No more than five percent of samples can be positive in any month. During the past year, only one sample was positive for coliform bacteria, and did not exceed the five percent standard.
Residents can visit the Town’s website at https://www.stoneham-ma.gov/261/Water-Sewer for more information on meetings and other water information, or visit the MWRA’s website at www.mwra.com.
Brett F. Gonsalves,
Director of Public Works