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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Public Water Supply
# 4220000
This annual report, compiled in accordance with state and federal drinking water regulations, deals with the quality of the drinking water that we deliver to you, our residents, and other water users.
Norwood, like many other communities in the metropolitan area, obtains its water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), which operates a network of water reservoirs, treatment facilities and distribution pipes, from the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs in central Massachusetts to hundreds of miles of water mains that deliver water to our border. The Town, in turn, delivers this water to your home through a network of over 120 miles of locally-owned distribution pipes, maintained by our local Department of Public Works.
Both the MWRA and the Town have invested heavily in our water systems in recent years to maintain the high quality of our drinking water. In the last few years, we have cleaned and lined several thousand feet of water main to eliminate rusty water problems and to improve fire flows. During last year’s project, the Town cleaned and lined 3,180 feet of 6-inch water main, 7,200 feet of 8-inch water main, and replaced 24 fire hydrants and 201 water services. This work was performed in the Neponset Street, Beech Street, Maple Street, Bullard Street, and Spruce Road neighborhoods. In addition, 475 feet of new ductile iron water main was installed on Meadow Street to connect the dead-end water mains on Azalea Drive and Meadow Street.
This year the Town will utilize $629,600 from an interest-free loan from the MWRA, plus an additional $4,500,000 appropriation from Town meeting, to replace or clean and line unlined water mains. During the project, the Town will clean and line 20,450 feet of water pipe on the following streets and neighborhoods; Washington Street, Guild Street, East Hoyle, Street, Elliot Street, Highland Street, and Fulton Street. This work will begin in early spring, weather permitting.
Water quality results: The MWRA water supplied to Norwood is some of the highest quality water in the country. Both the MWRA and the Town constantly collect and analyze water samples in accordance with protocols set by state agencies and the EPA to ensure its continued safety and potability.
The most frequently asked question that we receive about water quality concerns the potential presence of lead in tap water. The answer is simple: the water we supply to your home does not contain lead. Lead can come however from lead solder in your home piping or a lead service line (the pipe connecting your house to the water main). Over the last several years, the Public Works Department has located and replaced over 130 lead service lines. If you think that your house may have a lead service line, please call the Public Works Department at 781-762-1413 to schedule an inspection or email us at mryan@norwoodma.gov.
Lead solder was not banned until 1986, so it is possible that some newer homes built before that date could have elevated levels of lead present in the “first flush” from the tap. Norwood samples 20 homes a year for lead and copper: the 90th percentile for lead was 7.54 ppb, below the action level of 15 ppb and the 90th percentile for copper was 138 ppb, below the action level of 1300 ppb. The Town had two homes above the action level for lead this sampling round. The Public Works Department removed and replaced their lead service lines with copper.
| Range | 90th Percentile Value | Action Level | MCLG | Samples Over Action Level | |
| Lead | 0.15–25.7 ppb | 7.54 ppb | 15 ppb | 0 ppb | 2 of 20 |
| Copper | 11.9–151 ppb | 138 ppb | 1300 ppb | 1300 ppb | 0 of 20 |
For information about the potential presence of lead at the tap and steps to reduce exposure, contact the Norwood Board of Health at 781-762-1240 x174.
The Board of Health conducts a voluntary lead testing program to analyze water samples (there is a $25 fee).
Norwood also collects water samples for total coliform bacteria throughout the distribution system. The EPA requires that no more than 5% of samples each month are positive. All samples in 2023 were negative.
For information on public meetings or other water questions, please call the Public Works Department at 781-762-1413 or go to our website at www.norwoodma.gov/departments/public_works/index.php. We hope that you find this report to be informative. If you have any questions, please contact Mark P. Ryan at 781-762-1413.
Tony Mazzucco Mark P. Ryan
General Manager Director of Public Works and Town Engineer