Medford Community Letter 2023

City of Medford
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Public Water Supply
# 3176000

The 2023 Drinking Water Report provides information to residents of Medford on their water supply. Medford works in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to communicate where your water comes from, how it is treated and tested, and how we get it to your tap. We hope that this report helps you understand your water system and the quality of your drinking water. Medford’s Department of Public Works maintains the water distribution system that consists of a network of pipes, valves, hydrants, and service lines. This system takes water from the MWRA system and delivers water to homes, businesses, and other facilities in Medford for drinking, commercial uses, and fire protection. The city is constantly improving the system and replaces water mains when necessary. Our crews work every day monitoring the water system for leaks, verifying water pressure, replacing faulty meters, and flushing pipelines to keep the water safe.

Each year, we sample for lead and copper in 20 homes with verified lead service lines. In 2023, our results were above the lead action levels and below the copper action levels, as shown below. Medford will sample again in the spring of 2024.

Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. See page 5 and 6 for more information actions you can take to reduce lead risk. Our records show that we still have 7,879 full and partial lead service lines in Medford’s system. We are required to remove 25% of our remaining lead services each year, and document that to MassDEP. We have completed 12 years of our 15 year lead service removal program. The City of Medford is required to replace 1,969 service lines from November 2023 and through October 2024. Medford offers a program for homeowners to replace lead service lines that includes a rebate of $1,000. For more information, contact the Medford Water Quality Division at (617) 393-2561 or go to our website at: www.medfordma.org/departments/water-sewer.

Medford was also cited by MassDEP for a monitoring violation related to the Lead and Copper Rule during 2023. This violation was due to failure to update the materials evaluation of our water distribution system maps and databases. Medford is taking steps to address these issues including updating our service line inventory and conducting test pit inspections on unknown service material locations. We also offer private side lead service line inspections and testing at no cost to the homeowner which can be coordinated with the Water Quality Division at (781) 393-2561. We will continue working to achieve full compliance with regulations.

Medford routinely collects water samples within the distribution system at 18 sample sites four times per month. MassDEP requires that no more than 5% of the samples in a month test positive for total coliform bacteria. In August and September 2023, Medford found coliform bacteria in the distribution system, which required Medford to carry out a Level 1 Assessment and subsequently a Level 2 Assessment. Level 1 & 2 Assessments are very detailed studies of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria has been found in our water system on multiple occasions. After completing the Level 1 & 2 Assessments, we found that water in the nearby main had been stagnant at the time of sampling due to a dead-end system. The lack of a flushing program for the distribution system also contributed to the coliform levels. We were required to carry out three corrective actions, all of which were completed. We implemented a project to have the dead-end line looped with a nearby water main. We carried out flushing of pipes in the affected area. We also conducted repeat sampling for bacteria after flushing. Follow up sampling was negative for coliform bacteria. We also plan to carry out a town-wide unidirectional flushing program in 2024.

The Medford Water Division hopes you find this report informative and useful. If you have any questions regarding this report or any other water related questions, you can contact the Medford Water Quality Division at (781) 393-2561. If you are interested in attending a public Water Commission meeting, please contact the commission secretary at (781) 393-2474 for more information. Any emergencies related to the water and sewer systems please call our 24-hour hotline at (781) 393-2403.

Dan Stoneking
Superintendent of Water