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Swampscott Department of Public Works
Elihu Thompson Building
22 Monument Avenue
Swampscott, MA 01907-1977
781-569-8860
Fax 781-596-8826
Public Water Supply
# 3291000
The Swampscott Department of Public Works is pleased to provide this annual newsletter to keep you informed about your water system. Swampscott purchases all of its water directly from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The water is delivered through two MWRA master meters into the town’s distribution system, which consists of a network of pipes, valves, hydrants, and service lines. The system delivers water to homes, businesses, schools and other facilities for drinking and other uses.
Swampscott’s distribution system is comprised of approximately 57 miles of water mains ranging from 4 to 16 inches in diameter, with 473 hydrants. There are approximately 1400 gate valves that allow portions of the system to be shut down for repairs and maintenance. Swampscott has continued to make improvements to the water system, including a 2022 town-wide leak detection survey, and a subsequent survey scheduled for early 2024. The surveys are performed to reduce unaccounted for water by identifying hidden leaks. Unfortunately, due to the rising cost to supply water, the Town once again had to increase the water rate. Swampscott’s recently established tiered consumption rate resulted in both low end and high end users seeing a 2.5% increase over the past year.
Seventy percent of the pipes in the distribution system are over fifty years old with approximately sixty percent unlined cast iron pipe. Unlined pipe allows tuberculation (rust) to accumulate on the inside surfaces of the pipe. While not a health issue, these tubercles can affect the ability of the pipe to carry flows for firefighting purposes and can affect the appearance of your water, i.e. yellow or red discoloration.
As part of the Town’s continuing effort to upgrade its water distribution system, the existing 10-inch main on Atlantic Ave (from Blodgett Ave to the Marblehead line) and the 10-inch main on Beach Bluff Ave (from Atlantic Ave to Mostyn Street) will be cleaned and lined this fall. This project is funded using MWRA zero interest loans and is the twentieth year in which the Town has taken advantage of the MWRA’s financial assistance.
The Town, working with the MWRA, tests nine samples bi-weekly for total coliform bacteria to monitor the distribution system. MassDEP requires that no more than 5% of the samples in a month may be positive. Swampscott had zero positive results for the entire year, which is obviously well below the EPA’s action limit. The Town is also responsible for conducting lead and copper test samples annually. It is important to note that the water supplied by the MWRA does not contain any lead. However, Swampscott remains concerned about lead in tap water, so we test twenty homes yearly. The 90th percentile level for lead was 4.41 parts per billion (ppb), well below the Action Level of 15 ppb. Additional information on lead can be found on page 5. The 90th percentile value for copper was 153 ppb, well below the copper Action Level of 1300 ppb.
| Range | 90th Percentile Value | Action Level | MCLG | Samples Over Action Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0.098–7.9 ppb | 4.41 ppb | 15 ppb | 15 ppb | 0 of 20 |
| Copper | 25.8–218 ppb | 153 ppb | 1300 ppb | 1300 ppb | 0 of 20 |
The Town of Swampscott is committed to providing its residents with the best water possible. As our customers, we hope that you will find this report informative and useful. If you would like to obtain additional information on particular subjects, want to know about town meetings, or have specific questions, please feel free to contact the Department of Public Works, at (781) 596-8860, or e-mail the Director at gcresta@swampscottma.gov. You may also contact the MWRA using the phone numbers listed in this report.
Sincerely,
Gino A. Cresta Jr.
Director of Public Works