Wakefield Community Letter 2023

Public Water Supply
# 3305000

The Town of Wakefield uses an average of 2.01 million gallons of water per day. Most of the Town’s water is supplied by the MWRA through three separate connections and meters. The Broadway Treatment and Pumping Facility is used to supplement the MWRA supply and aid in times of high demand, such as during the summer or in firefighting circumstances. The Broadway Facility is also equipped to temporarily supply the entire Town under controlled use conditions (i.e., water restrictions) in the event of an emergency interruption of one of the MWRA connections. The additional supply provided by the Broadway Facility is an indispensable part of Wakefield’s system.

WATER DEPARTMENT STAFF AND OPERATIONS

The Public Works Water Division maintains and operates the Broadway Treatment Facility, approximately 110 miles of water mains, 900 fire hydrants, the Linden Street water booster station, the Hart’s Hill standpipe, pressure reducing valves, blow-off valves, and gate and service valves. We maintain our system by detecting leaks, repairing water main breaks, replacing old water mains, water meters, and hydrants, flushing water mains, and responding to the needs and concerns of our residents. We conduct a thorough water sampling and testing program that complies with all State and Federal requirements. We also maintain an active Cross Connection Control Program, continuously inspecting facilities and testing devices to protect the water system from contamination.

WATER ANALYSIS

Wakefield and the MWRA analyze water samples regularly to ensure compliance with drinking water standards. In 2023, we tested for more than 100 substances and only detected only those shown in the table below, all of which were below federal and state standards. Table 1 shows the detected amount of each contaminant. For those persons who are restricting their sodium intake, our sodium level is 88.9 ppm, equal to 21.1 milligrams per 8 ounce serving. A “low” sodium diet allows consumption of water with 140 milligrams of sodium per 8 ounce serving. For additional information on sodium, refer to the MWRA sodium test results, and please contact the Board of Health. Wakefield successfully maintains lead and copper levels well below the EPA requirements. If you have any questions about lead in your drinking water or would like to have it tested, please contact the Department of Public Works.

TOTAL COLIFORM RESULTS

Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment. Although they do not pose a health risk themselves, they are used as an indicator that other potentially harmful bacteria may be present. In August, September, October and November 2023, coliforms were found in the water system in low concentrations. We completed four Level 2 Assessments of the system, which includes a detailed study of the water system to determine why total coliform bacteria may have been found. Our Broadway Water Treatment Plant was offline during this time period and water main replacement was ongoing near the positive coliform sampling sites. Our Hart’s Hill Storage Tank was also under construction throughout November. We continue to monitor the water carefully each week for coliform bacteria and as required by our approved DEP Sampling Schedule.

UNREGULATED PFAS CONTAMINANTS

PFAS6 is a group of 6 different contaminants that are regulated as a group. Other PFAS chemicals are unregulated. Two unregulated PFAS contaminants were detected.

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT

The DEP conducted a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) in 2004 to assess the susceptibility of the Crystal Lake supply to contamination. Based on their findings, DEP assigned a high susceptibility rank to Crystal Lake. However, the Town maintains treatment at Crystal Lake that meets or exceeds all drinking water standards and conducts extensive monitoring as described in this report to mitigate risk of contamination. The complete SWAP report is available at the Department of Public Works or online at: www.mass.gov/doc/wakefield-water-department-swap-report/download.

Joseph Conway, Director of Public Works

For additional information, or to find out about public meetings, please contact:

Steven J. Fitzpatrick, Water Quality & Production

Manager Department of Public Works, Town Hall, 1 Lafayette Street Tel. (781) 246-6318 sjfitzpatrick@wakefield.ma.us