Saugus Community Letter 2023

Town of Saugus
Public Works Department
515 Main Street
Saugus, Massachusetts 01906
Phone: 781-231-4145 Fax: 781-231-4146

Brendan B. O’Regan Director of Public Works

Public Water Supply # 3262000

Dear Saugus Water Customer:

This is the 2023 water quality report on the drinking water provided to your Saugus home, school or business. The Saugus Department of Public Works, in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, (MWRA) delivers water to your tap. This annual report provides detailed information on the MWRA’s source water reservoirs and the quality of water as determined through federal and state testing guidelines. In 2023 the Town delivered approximately 2.94 million gallons per day of water to residents and businesses.  The DPW maintains approximately 125 miles of water pipe lines and 9,500 service connections. 

The Town of Saugus tests the town water supply for Total Coliform bacteria: 32 samples per month are collected by DPW staff and analyzed at the MWRA laboratory.  The Town had no positive samples for coliform in 2023. 

Saugus also carries out water sampling for lead and copper  at 20 community locations. The 2023 program was completed in November and Saugus was again below the Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) and 1,300 ppb for lead and copper respectively.  The 90th percentiles for lead and copper sampling were 1.53 ppb and 138 ppb respectively. For more information on ways to reduce your lead exposure, see page 5.

Leak detection is performed twice per year in our system to identify piping issues and water loss below the surface of the road. The leak detection program found 22 leaks. These leaks were repaired, saving an estimated 244,000 gallons per day.  The DPW has also replaced 23 fire hydrants and 6 gate valves, and repaired 17 water breaks/leaks.  In addition, water mains and services were replaced on Wonderland Ave, Alice St., Kenwood Ave, Stone St., Oakwood Ave, Mt. Ridgeway Rd. and Harvard Ave.

The Saugus Town Meeting serves as the Water Commission for the Town.  At these meetings, any relevant water issue, such as water projects and rates, are discussed.  These meetings are well publicized in local media and on the Town’s Website.  Meetings took place on May 1, 8 and 15 and June 26, 2023. We hope you find this report informative and useful. If you require more information or have any questions on the Town’s water infrastructure system, please call the DPW at 781-231-4143.  

Thank you. 

Brendan B. O’Regan, 
Director of Public Works