Download your report and letter
CITY OF QUINCY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
THOMAS P. KOCH, Mayor
ALFRED J. GRAZIOSO, Commissioner
Public Water Supply
# 3243000
As the Commissioner of Public Works, it is my pleasure to provide you with this annual letter to keep you informed about our water distribution system.
Our Distribution System
The City of Quincy purchases all its water directly from the MWRA. The water is delivered through five MWRA master meters into the City’s distribution system. The system, which consists of a network of pipes, valves, hydrants and service lines, delivers water to homes, businesses and other facilities for drinking, fire protection and other uses.
Our system is comprised of approximately 238 miles of water mains ranging from four to twenty inches in diameter, with 2,549 hydrants. There are thousands of gate valves that allow us to isolate portions of the system for repairs and maintenance. An estimated twenty-five percent of the pipes in our system are unlined cast iron pipes over 85 years old. In 2023 the DPW replaced over seven miles of old 6-inch to 12-inch-diameter water main on 31 roads. Work included the replacement of hydrants and water gate valves.
Lead and Copper Results
One of our Department’s continuing, primary goals is to provide safe, clean water to all residents and businesses. Each year we test for lead in 20 homes that have a known lead or a lead-lined service. In September 2023, the 90th percentile for lead based on all results for the city was 18.5 ppb (parts per billion), which was above the lead Action Level (AL) of 15 ppb. The 90th percentile for copper was 107 ppb, which was under the AL for copper of 1,300 ppb. Of the 20 homes sampled, three exceeded the lead AL of 15 ppb. The city has replaced two of these services, and we are working with the homeowner of the third property to schedule a service replacement. 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.
| Range | 90th Percentile Value | Action Level | MCLG | Samples Over Action Level | |
| Lead | 0.13–61 ppb | 18.5 ppb | 15 ppb | 0 ppb | 3 of 20 |
| Copper | 9.2–167 ppb | 107 ppb | 1300 ppb | 1300 ppb | 0 of 20 |
The City’s Lead Service Replacement Program is being updated and will state that the City is required to remove any identified remaining lead service connections over a period that shall not exceed 10 years. This Program protects our children and improves the health of our community. In 2023, the city replaced another 17 lead services in conjunction with ongoing water main replacement activities. Additional information can be found on our website at:
https://www.quincyma.gov/departments/public_works/water_sewer_operation…
Total Coliform Tests in Community Pipes
Each month we test 28 locations and submit at least 106 samples for total coliform bacteria to monitor the distribution system. MassDEP requires that no more than 5% of the samples in a month may be positive. During 2023, only one of our 1,318 samples tested positive, and all required repeat samples tested negative. In August, one sample at one of our water storage tanks tested positive for E. coli. Follow up sampling did not confirm its presence, and the initial positive was believed to have been related to a problem with the sample tap.
If you have any questions, or need any additional information on public meetings, please visit our website at: www.quincyma.gov or call the City’s Water/Sewer/Drain Engineer, Mark Vialpando at (617) 376-1955.
Sincerely,
Alfred J. Grazioso
Commissioner of Public Works