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Canton Water / Sewer Division
Public Works Department
Public Water Supply # 40500000
Canton Water Supply
Canton draws its drinking water from two sources: our own local ground water wells and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) limits the amount of local water the Town can use to 2.67 million gallons per day. Canton used an average of 2.6 million gallons per day in 2023, 58% supplied by MWRA, 42% from our seven ground water wells. This main part of this report provides information about the water from MWRA only. For information about the water provided by Canton’s wells and treatment plant, please go to: www.town.canton.ma.us/261/Water-Sewer-Division.
Source Water Assessment
Public Works worked with DEP to prepare a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the local water supply sources serving Canton. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies. While the susceptibility ranking for the system is high, the SWAP Report found Canton water supply protection controls meet DEP well protection regulations. The complete SWAP Report is available at www.town.canton.ma.us under the Public Works Water Sewer Division or www.gov/service-details/the-source-water-assessment-protection-swap-pro…. Consumers can help protect sources by practicing good septic system maintenance, taking hazardous household chemicals to hazardous materials collection days, and limiting pesticide and fertilizer use.
Water / Sewer Division Operation
Canton maintains and operates a drinking water supply and distribution system that consists of the James P. Moran Treatment Facility and three wells, the Edward M. Sullivan Water Treatment Facilities and four wells, 128 miles of water mains, five storage tanks, 1100 fire hydrants, and 7300 service connections. Regular maintenance activities include: water main flushing, hydrant replacement, valve exercising, meter inspection and repair, storage tank inspection, water leak repair. Canton also maintains an active Cross Connection Program continuously inspecting private and public facilities and testing devices to protect the water system from cross contamination.
Water Treatment
Canton makes every effort to provide safe and pure drinking water. We aerate and filter the water to remove contaminants, we use chloramination as a disinfectant to protect against microbial contaminants, we adjust the pH to reduce lead and copper levels, we add coagulant and filter to reduce iron and manganese levels, and add fluoride to aid dental health and hygiene. All components of the water treatment process are monitored by State certified operators through a computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA).
Water Analysis: Canton along with the MWRA analyze water samples regularly to ensure the Town’s drinking water meets EPA/DEP water quality standards. All samples met Safe Drinking Water Act Standards.
Canton is on an annual lead and copper testing schedule, of 30 household samples and two samples from schools or early education centers. The 90th percentile level for lead in Canton Water was 3.8 ppb, compared to the standard of 15 ppb; and 82 ppb for copper compared to the standard of 1300 ppb.
| Range | 90% Value | Action Level | MCLG | Samples Over Action Level | |
| Lead (ppb) | 0-7.3 | 3.8 | 15 | 0 | 0 of 30 |
| Copper (ppb) | 3.3-180 | 82 | 1300 | 1300 | 0 of 30 |
In 2023 the town sampled PFAS at the Sullivan Treatment plant and the Moran Treatment plant. The detect range for the PFAS6 was from 2.2–4.47 ppt. The highest quarterly average of testing was 4.47 ppt, under the MCL of 20 ppt.
Capital Improvements
In 2023, Public Works water and sewer, with the help of outside contractors, continued to upgrade our asset management program for the treatment plants. We also broke ground on adding Granular Activated Carbon to the Moran Treatment plant. The carbon should be online in the spring of 2024. There has also been sewer relining in areas of high inflow and infiltration. This should reduce what gets sent to MWRA sewer for treatment.
For the full 2023 Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report with information on Canton’s local sources, please continue to https://gemgrp.com/eReports/CNMA018290-1Y24.
For any questions about the quality of Canton’s drinking water or information on public meetings, please contact:
Christopher Sykes Water / Sewer Supervisor 781-821-5017
Renee Ruane Water Treatment Plant Foreman 781-828-4930