Melrose Community Letter 2023

CITY OF MELROSE
Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., BCEE
Director of Public Works
Melrose Water Division 781-979-4172

Public Water Supply
# 3178000

The Melrose Department of Public Works is pleased to provide this 2023 water quality report to keep you informed about your water system. It includes water quality test data, as well as other information about the water delivered to your property. We hope that this report provides you with a better understanding of your water supply and confidence in its use. Melrose purchases water directly from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The water is delivered from MWRA’s transmission mains into the City’s distribution system, a network of approximately 90 miles of pipes and hundreds of isolation valves and hydrants. The system delivers water to over 8,500 homes, businesses, and other facilities for drinking and other uses, and provides fire protection throughout the City.

Melrose continues an intensive, citywide construction program aimed at upgrading water infrastructure. Water main upgrades in 2023 included replacements on Trenton Street, Reading Hill Avenue, Henry Avenue, Nowell Road, Ellwood Road, and Taylor Street. These projects improve localized water quality and fire flows, and decrease the City’s overall water consumption through the elimination of pipes prone to leakage and breaks. These projects also included the replacement of water services from the new main to the property line. The City continued replacing public-side lead water services on all roads slated for paving as part of our annual roads program. In 2023, the City continued our program to replace all water meters to provide better accuracy, more efficient meter reading, and more timely identification of household leaks. Over 99% of the residential and commercial properties in Melrose now have new meters, and annual leak detection was performed in water mains citywide. In 2023, the City performed hydrant flushing citywide. All water mains in the system were flushed to improve water quality, and hydrants and valves were tested.

Melrose tests tap water samples weekly in nine locations for coliform, an organism which may signal the presence of more serious bacteria. One sample tested positive for coliform bacteria in 2023; however, repeat testing was negative. All other Melrose water samples take in 2023 tested negative for coliform bacteria.

The City continues to receive inquiries about lead in the drinking water. The simple answer is that there is no lead in the water supply that comes to Melrose; however, lead can enter your tap water through contact with brass fixtures lead solder (now outlawed), old indoor lead plumbing, or in the service line from the water main to your house. Melrose conducted sampling for lead and copper in September 2023. The 90th percentile level for lead was 16.3 ppb, above the Action Level for lead of 15 ppb. Four residential samples exceeded the 90th percentile action levels (AL) for lead (15 ppb). No residential samples exceeded the AL for copper (1300 ppb). The results of all school samples were below the action levels. 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.

Exceedance of the action levels triggered EPA public notification requirements including: notification of each property owner where an exceedance occurred; citywide notification via website, television, radio and newspaper; distribution to all water customers of a “Lead in Water” informational brochure; and continued notification to customers of the potential for lead in water in quarterly water bills. A summary of results is presented below.

The City continued the lead service connection identification and removal program in 2023. Under the requirements of a voluntary Administrative Consent Order from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the City is required to remove at least 25 complete lead service connections per year. This requires removal of the public side (main to curbstop) and the private side (curb stop to meter). In 2023, 34 complete lead service removal were completed. The City continued working on the inventory of lead services and completed 428 building inspection and 49 test pits to confirm service line materials. The city also continued offering a $1,000 incentive to property owners to replace private side lead services. To find out if you have a lead service line and how it can be replaced, please contact the Melrose Engineering/Water Division at 781-979-4172. If you require further information, or would like information on public meetings, go to our website at:
https://www.cityofmelrose.org/, or please call the Melrose Water Division at 781-979-4172 or the MWRA at 617-242-5323.

Sincerely,
Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E.
DPW Director