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Town of Marblehead
WATER AND SEWER COMMISSION
www.marblehead.org/water
Public Water Supply
# 3168000
Dear Marblehead Water Customer:
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and Marblehead Water and Sewer Commission have prepared this 2023 Drinking Water Report to provide you with an annual update on the quality of water supplied to you by the Marblehead Water Department and the MWRA. Marblehead purchases all its water directly from the MWRA. If you are interested in a detailed report of the Marblehead Water Department maintenance and operation, that information is included in the 2023 Marblehead Town Report.
The Commission reviews and approves a capital spending program which prioritizes and schedules water system upgrades to build upon system improvements being made by the MWRA and to stabilize rates. The Commission utilized MWRA’s Local Water System Assistance Program for three water main upgrade projects to date. In 2023 the replacement of the 16-inch transmission main from Loring Ave Pump Station to Marblehead’s distribution system was completed. A design for an increased fire flow and water quality project was also completed for summer of 2024 construction. This work will include replacement of 6-inch water mains with 8-inch water mains on West Street, Mystic Road, Florence Road, Maverick Street, Curtis Street and Roosevelt Ave.
The water department also receives questions about lead in tap water. There is no lead in the water supplied to your homes, and Marblehead has no known lead service lines. A few Marblehead homes have galvanized iron services. These homes could have a short connection piece that contains lead (a “gooseneck”). The Commission recommends that you contact the water department to confirm the year of installation and the material used for the water service. Other possible sources of lead in drinking water include corrosion of household plumbing systems such as brass fixtures and piping (which contains lead in the alloy) or lead solder.
Marblehead tested 20 homes this year for lead and copper levels. The 90th percentile lead level for Marblehead was 2.42 parts per billion (ppb); this does not exceed the Action Level of 15 ppb. The 90th percentile for copper was 139 ppb, below the Action Level of 1300 ppb. Along with residential homes tested, the Commission annually selects two schools to participate in the Lead and Copper Program. In 2016, Marblehead tested all of the public schools. The results of each test from the school sampling can be found by using the links provided on the Marblehead water department’s web page: www.marblehead.org/water.
| Range | 90th Percentile Value | Action Level | MCLG | Samples Over Action Level | |
| Lead | 0.14-3.38 ppb | 2.42 ppb | 15 ppb | 0 ppb | 0 of 20 |
| Copper | 24.4-169 ppb | 139 ppb | 1300 ppb | 1300 ppb | 0 of 20 |
The Commission and its staff aim to keep its customers informed. The town website: www.marblehead.org holds three informative pages—Water and Sewer Commission, Water Department, and Sewer Department for customers to learn more about all the systems under the Commission’s purview. The Commission was pleased to announce that monthly Commission Meetings have returned to in person meetings located at building 11 on Tower Way in Marblehead. Please visit the Marblehead website: www.marblehead.org for public meeting information and agendas.
We hope that you will find this Annual Water Quality Report to Consumers interesting and educational. Please feel free to contact Superintendent Amy McHugh at (781) 631-0102 (email Water@marblehead.org) regarding public meetings, questions, concerns, or comments.
Sincerely,
F. Carlton Siegel
Chairman