Waltham Community Letter 2023

Dear Water Customer,
This annual water quality report is provided for your consideration. In cooperation with the MWRA, the Water & Sewer Division of the CPW Department presents facts about where your water comes from, how it is tested and most importantly what we do to maintain water quality. For additional information on local water projects, please visit the city website under the Engineering Department at https://www.city.waltham.ma.us/engineering. For information on public meetings visit www.city.waltham.ma.us or call 781-314-3120.

Our Water Distribution System:

The City of Waltham purchases all of its water directly from MWRA. The water is delivered through eight master water meters into the City’s water distribution system. The water distribution system consists of the network of water pipes, gate valves, fire hydrants and service laterals. The system delivers water to homes, businesses and other facilities for drinking and other uses. Waltham’s water distribution system consists of 170 miles of water mains, ranging in size from four to twenty-four inches in diameter. There are approximately 14,000 water service connections to homes and businesses. The city owns and maintains 1,600 fire hydrants. There are 3,300 water gate valves in the distribution system that allow us to control the flow of water and isolate portions of the system for repairs and maintenance.

Lead and Copper Water Sample Results:

The Waltham Water and Sewer Division annually tests the water for lead and copper levels in 20 homes and two schools. The sampling results completed in September & October 2023 were below the EPA Lead Action Level of 15 ppb (parts per billion), with a result of 3.83 ppb. The results from copper sampling were 107 ppb, which is below the EPA Copper Action Level of 1,300 ppb.

Total Coliform Bacteria Testing In Water Pipes:

MWRA and Waltham conducted 72 water sample tests each month for total coliform bacteria to monitor the water distribution system. The EPA requires that no more than 5% of the water samples in a month may be positive. 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 harmful, waterborne pathogen may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking in the water distribution system. Waltham fully complied with the coliform sampling and testing requirements.

Water Distribution System Maintenance and Improvements:

In 2023 the Water & Sewer Division repaired or replaced 106 water services, repaired 15 water mains, and repaired or replaced 29 hydrants. Through the Engineering Department, we cleaned and lined 900’ of 6” cast iron water main, replaced 1 hydrant, installed 2 new hydrants, replaced 1 6” hydrant gate, installed 1 new 6” hydrant gate, installed 525’ of new 12” water main, installed 14’ of new 6” main (hydrant lateral), installed 2 new 12” gate valves and 1 new 6” gate valve, and replaced 2” iron “main” with 420’ of 2” copper. Through the City of Waltham, the MWRA installed 1,320’ of 12” main, installed 1-16” insertion valve, installed 3–13”/10” insertion valve, installed 3-8”/6” insertion valve, replaced 70 water service connections, and replaced 5 hydrants. Annually the Waltham Fire Department checks every City owned fire hydrant for operability, then the Water & Sewer Division makes repairs to the out of service hydrants, over the course of the year. For information relative to drinking water quality in the Waltham Public Schools please visit the website https://www.walthampublicschools.org/page/facilities. If you have any questions on your water service or would like more information on public meetings, please call us at the following phone numbers:

Sincerely,
Michael Chiasson, Director of Public Works