2024 Annual Water Quality Test Results - Partial

Town of Burlington
25 Center Street Burlington, MA 01803
Public Water Supply #3048000

The Burlington Water Department, in conjunction with the MWRA, supplies potable water to our residential and commercial customers. This letter provides information on the quality of the water produced at our Mill Pond Water Treatment Plant in 2024. The rest of this report provides information about the quality of the MWRA water delivered for part of our supply. Mill Pond produced 569.11 million gallons (MG) of water in 2024 and 505.599 MG were purchased from the MWRA. The Vine Brook Water Treatment Plant is permanently offline and no longer supplies the
town with any drinking water.

The town collects and analyzes hundreds of drinking water samples annually for volatile and synthetic organic compounds, inorganic compounds, PFAS, bacteria and dozens of analyses daily for water quality and process control at our Mill Pond Treatment Plant. All sampling is conducted in accordance with our quarterly sampling schedule set by MassDEP. Sample results are summarized below.

Lead and Copper:

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Our results were well below the action levels. If you have concerns about lead, please call us at 781-270-1648.

In October of 2024, Burlington completed an inventory of every service line (the small pipe that connects your home to the water main) and submitted it to MassDEP. We did not identify any lead service lines, but did identify a few galvanized lines that could contribute lead and notified those owners. We found that we do not have full information on some service lines. In November, we mailed a letter to every property where our records did not have information about the service line material with information on how to determine if it was made of lead. For a copy of the inventory, or to find out if you have a lead service line and how to get it replaced, please contact the phone numbers listed below or go to: https://www.burlington.org/1240/LSL-Inventory-Program.

Cross-Connection Control Program:

Please see the Town of Burlington website at: https://www.burlington.org/433/Public-Works

Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP): 

In 2003, the DEP conducted a SWAP to assess the susceptibility of the water supply. The susceptibility rating for our wells was high. The rating for the Shawsheen River was also rated as high; the Mill Pond Reservoir was given a rating of moderate. The complete 2003 SWAP report is at: www.mass.gov/doc/northeast-region-source-water-assessment-protection-sw….

If you have any questions about this information or about public meetings, please 781-270-1670.

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Canton Water / Sewer Division
Public Works Department
Public Water Supply #4050000

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 2.48 million gallons per day in 2024, with 59% supplied by MWRA and 41% from our seven ground water wells. The 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 and https://gemgrp.com/eReports/CNMA018290-1Y25.

Source Water Assessment:

Public Works worked with MassDEP to prepare a Source Water Assessment and Protection Program (SWAP) Report for the local water supply sources serving Canton. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies to sources of contamination. 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-program. 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 following: 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, and water leak repair. Canton also maintains an active Cross Connection Program with continuous inspection of private and public facilities, and the use of 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, use chloramination as a disinfectant to protect against microbial contaminants, adjust the pH to reduce lead and copper levels in drinking water, add a coagulant and filter the water 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, analyzes water samples regularly to ensure the Town’s drinking water meets EPA/DEP water quality standards. All samples met Safe Drinking Water Act Standards in 2024. In 2024, the town sampled PFAS at the Sullivan Treatment plant and the Moran Treatment plant. The detections range for PFAS6 was from 0 parts per trillion (ppt) to 8.6 ppt. The highest quarterly average of testing was 8.6 ppt, under the MCL for PFAS of 20 ppt.

Lead and Copper Sampling:

Our water system violated a drinking water standard over the past year. Even though this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct these situations.

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During the July 1st to December 31st, 2024 monitoring period we did not collect the minimum required number of samples for lead and copper. 

The table below lists the contaminant(s) we did not properly test for during the last year, how often we are supposed to sample for lead and copper and how many samples we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have been taken, and the date on which follow-up samples were (or will be) taken.

The Town of Canton Water Department was unable to collect the minimum number of required lead and copper water samples for the LCR sampling period. The Town was also unable to collect the four samples from schools and Early Education and Childcare Facilities (EECF’s). To prevent this from happening again, we have added several additional sampling sites and plan to begin sampling earlier in the sampling period. We have also included literature explaining the importance of the program with our sampling bottles. We are also looking at other ways to encourage residents to participate in the sampling program. For more information, please contact Chris Sykes at 781-821-5020 or csykes@town.canton.ma.us.

Canton is on a semiannual lead and copper testing schedule that includes 60 household samples and two samples from schools or early education centers. The 90th percentile level for lead in Canton drinking water in 2024 was 3.8 ppb, compared to the lead Action Level of 15 ppb, and 71 ppb for copper compared to the Action Level of 1300 ppb.

In October of 2024, Canton completed an inventory of every service line (the small pipe that connects your home to the water main) and submitted it to MassDEP. We did not identify any lead service lines. We did found that we do not have full information on some service lines. In November, we mailed a letter to every property where our records did not have information about the service line material with information on how to determine if it was made of lead. For a copy of the inventory, or to find out if you have a lead service line and how to get it replaced, please contact the phone numbers listed below or go to our website: https://www.town.canton.ma.us/1019/Lead-Service-Line-Inventory.

Capital Improvements:

In 2024, Public Works Water and Sewer Department, with the help of outside contractors, continued to upgrade our asset management program for the treatment plants. The addition of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filters to the Moran Treatment plant on Pecunit Street was completed. The addition of the carbon aids in the removal of PFAS. There has also been sewer relining in areas of high inflow and infiltration. This should reduce what gets sent to MWRA sewers for treatment. We also upgraded water mains on Old Randolph Street and Randolph Terrace.

For the full 2024 Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report with information on Canton’s local sources, please continue to: https://gemgrp.com/eReports/CNMA018290-1Y25

For any questions about the quality of Canton’s drinking water or information on public meetings, please contact:

Christopher Sykes, Water/Sewer Supervisor - 781-821-5020
Renee Ruane, Water Treatment Plant Foreman - 781-828-4930

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Needham Water Division
Department of Public Works
Public Water Supply #3199000

Needham Water Supply: 

Needham draws its drinking water from two separate sources. The primary source of drinking water comes from three gravel packed ground water wells located here in town known as the Charles River Water Treatment Facility. This well field has been the major source of Needham’s water supply since the 1930’s. The Town’s secondary source is from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The MWRA supply enters Needham’s distribution system through a 36” diameter pipe that runs from the MWRA’s Metro West Tunnel in Weston to the St. Mary’s booster pumping station. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) limits the amount of water the Town can take from the Charles River basin at an annual average of 2.63 MGD (million gallons a day). We use the MWRA water when there’s a higher demand in the summer and firefighting situations. Needham used an average of 3.426 million gallons per day in 2024. 70 percent was supplied by our primary source and the remaining 30 percent was from the MWRA.

This report provides information about the MWRA water sources, treatment, and water quality results. You will also receive a separate report about Needham’s local water sources, treatment facilities and water quality results from our local supplies.

Source Water Assessment: 

The Mass Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) approved the Town’s water source protection based on land use and operational restrictions in areas of influence to the Town’s drinking water wells. The assessment helps focus protection efforts on appropriate best management practices and drinking water source protection measures. The complete assessment report is available on line: www.mass.gov/lists/source-water-assessment-and-protection-swap-program-documents.

Water Department Operations: 

The Needham Department of Public Works water division maintains and operates the Charles River Water Treatment Facility and its water distribution system to deliver water to its customers. The system consists of 146 miles of water mains, 3,400 gate valves, 10,185 service connections, 1,245 fire hydrants and two water storage tanks that provide a combined 4 million gallons of storage. Needham conducted a sanitary (cleaning) and security inspection on both the Dunster Road and Birds Hill water storage tanks. Needham also performs regular preventative maintenance by replacing older water meters and upgrading older water mains. The Town hired private contractors to replace 120 feet of 12 inch water main on Greendale Ave from Parker Street to Cimino Road. Bennington Road had its 6 inch water main upgraded. South Street had 2,182 feet of 16 inch water main from Chestnut Street to just beyond Marant Drive upgraded. Also portions of the water mains were upgraded on Stonecrest Drive, Southwood Lane and Farley Pond Lane. We also upgraded a 2 inch water main to a 6 inch on Elizabeth Circle and the Tower Avenue water was renewed from Lindbergh Street to the Mitchell School. In addition, we replaced 5 older fire hydrants and conducted a system wide leak detection survey. Well #3A at the Charles River Water Treatment Facility was re-developed (cleaned) to bring back its original capacity. The DPW continues to undertake construction and maintenance projects to provide our customers with the safest and most reliable supply of drinking water. You will also receive a separate report outlining these projects and water quality results from our local supplies at: www.needhamma.gov/298/Drinking-Water-Quality.

Water Treatment:

In compliance with Federal and State drinking water regulations, Needham conducts a water quality sampling program. Needham’s well water must be treated before it reaches the consumer’s taps. This process includes oxidation and removal of iron and manganese with sodium hypochlorite via filtration. Sodium hydroxide is used to raise the natural pH and alkalinity, thereby reducing the water’s corrosiveness to household plumbing. Disinfection is carried out by adding chlorine to inactivate any pathogens that may be present in the water and to maintain a chlorine residual in the distribution system. Fluoride is added to prevent tooth decay, and polyphosphate to minimize calcium from precipitating in pipes.

Monitoring Water For PFAS: 

PFAS compounds continue to be an environmental concern. In 2020, MassDEP published a drinking water standard for the sum of PFAS6. Needham’s water showed detected levels of PFAS, but were below the state regulated level.

Water Analysis:

Needham’s Water Division along with the MWRA, analyze water samples regularly to ensure the Town’s drinking water meets or exceeds MassDEP drinking water quality standards. In 2024, Needham collected over 500 water samples analyzing over 100 potential contaminants
and found these to be well below all State and Federal regulations. More details can be found in the separate local report that you will receive.

Lead & Copper: 

The Town has successfully maintained lead and copper levels well below the EPA Action Levels. The most recent results from 2023 are shown in the table below.

Do I Have a Lead Service Line?

A service line is the small diameter pipe that connects your building to the water main in the street. Contact the Water Department to find out if you have a lead service line at your home. Lead service lines should be removed entirely to prevent lead in your drinking water.
The Town completed the required Mass DEP service line inventory for both the public and private indicating the type of material and year it was installed. Letters were sent to all homeowners that have either a lead service line, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), or if the material is classified as unknown. Around 99 percent of service lines were found to be non-lead, The updated service line inventory report is available online: www.needhamma.gov/5606/needham-Public-Water-System

If you have any questions or concerns about your drinking water quality, or about public meetings, please contact: Stephen Cusick, Water Treatment Facility Manager 781-416-4071 or Michael Retzky, Water & Sewer Superintendent 781-455-7550.

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City of Peabody
Department of Public Services
Public Water Supply #3229000

Dear Customer,

Peabody’s drinking water is mainly supplied by the Robert J. Walsh and Winona Water Treatment Plants. MWRA provided 18 percent of supplemental drinking water throughout the year. There are four water storage tanks in the distribution system that provide water storage, water pressure, and fire protection. For further information on Peabody’s water quality, or to learn about public meetings, contact the Peabody Public Services Department at (978) 536-0060 or go to: www.Peabody-ma.gov/public%20services.html.

Water Treatment:

Walsh and Winona Water Treatment Plants implement the following treatment steps: 1) Coagulation and sedimentation, which removes particles from the water through flocculation; and then settling and filtration, which removes the remaining particles out of the water; 2) Primary disinfection, which uses free chlorine to kill the harmful microbes, and secondary disinfection, which uses monochloramine to control biological activity in the distribution system, and; 3) Fluoride is added for dental health. Additionally, at the Walsh Treatment Plant, potassium permanganate is used to pretreat source water for iron and manganese. Aeration, DAF, and GAC filtration are additional treatment techniques used at the Winona Plant.

Source of Water: 

Winona water (35% of total) is pumped from Winona Pond. Walsh water is pumped from Suntaug Lake (35% of total) and Spring Pond (30% of total). The source for Suntaug Lake and Winona Pond is the Ipswich River. Under MassDEP’s Water Management Act Regulations, withdrawing water from the Ipswich River is only allowed during winter and spring months. The DEP has characterized our surface water source susceptibility at Spring Pond Reservoir, Suntaug Reservoir, and Ipswich River as high, as well as Winona Pond Reservoir as moderate. For more information, please visit: www.mass.gov/service-details/the-source-water-assessment-protection-swap-program. Peabody has initiated a Clean and Sustainable Water Future Use Plan. We continue to use Solitude Lake Management for the prevention of seasonal algal growth that can cause taste and odor issues.

Revised Total Coliform Rule:

Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be present or that a potential pathway exists, through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. In September, we found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct an assessment to identify any problems that were found during these assessments. A Level 1 Assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system. During the past year, we were required to conduct and completed one Level 1 Assessment. We were required to take 3 corrective actions and we completed all 3 of these actions. The problem was found to be inadequate flushing of the Winona WTP sample line. No coliform related to this incident were found in the distribution system.

Lead and Copper:

Peabody’s water was tested for lead and copper in the spring and fall of 2024. The 90th percentile for all lead and copper samples results were below their Action Levels in both rounds of sampling.

Peabody Water Department published its Lead Service Line Inventory which can be found on our website along with more information on lead at https://www.peabody-ma.gov/public%20services.html. Peabody Water Department is developing a Lead Service Line Replacement Program with the goal of removing all the lead services lines in the water system in the next five years. To date we have removed 21 lead goosenecks as part of the program. While replacing the Peabody owned portion of a lead service line, replacement of the homeowner’s portion will be offered at the homeowner’s expense. The Peabody Water Department is required to replace its portion of the lead service line if the homeowner notifies the department that the homeowner side is being replaced. Please do so by contacting us at 978-536-7121. If your service line contains lead, GRR, or unknown materials, you would have received a letter in November 2024. To assist the Water Department in identifying unknown service lines, please help us by using the QR codes above.

PFAS6:

PFAS6 is a group of 6 PFAS contaminants that are regulated together as a group. Some unregulated PFAS chemicals were also detected. 

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Town of Wakefield
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Public Water Supply #3305000

The Town of Wakefield uses an average of 1.9 million gallons of water per day. Most of the Town’s water is supplied by the MWRA through three separate connections and meters. The Broadway Treatment and Pumping Facility is used to supplement the MWRA supply and aid in times of high demand, such as during the summer or in firefighting circumstances. The Broadway Facility is also equipped to temporarily supply the entire Town under controlled use conditions (i.e., water restrictions) in the event of an emergency interruption of one of the MWRA connections. The additional supply provided by the Broadway Facility is an indispensable part of Wakefield’s system.

WATER DEPARTMENT STAFF AND OPERATIONS

The Public Works Water Division maintains and operates the Broadway Treatment Facility, approximately 110 miles of water mains, 900 fire hydrants, the Linden Street water booster station, the Hart’s Hill standpipe, pressure reducing valves, blow-off valves, and gate and service valves. We maintain our system by detecting leaks, repairing water main breaks, replacing old water mains, water meters, and hydrants, flushing water mains, and responding to the needs and concerns of our residents. We conduct a thorough water sampling and testing program that complies with all State and Federal requirements. We also maintain an active Cross Connection Control Program, continuously inspecting facilities and testing devices to protect the water system from contamination.

WATER ANALYSIS

Wakefield and the MWRA analyze water samples regularly to ensure compliance with drinking water standards. In 2024, we tested for more than 100 substances and only detected those shown in the table below, all of which were below federal and state standards. Table 1 on the next page shows the detected amount of each contaminant. For those persons who are restricting their sodium intake, our sodium level is 87.2 ppm, equal to 21.1 milligrams per 8 ounce serving. A “low” sodium diet allows consumption of water with 140 milligrams of sodium per 8 ounce serving. For additional information on sodium, refer to the MWRA sodium test results, and please contact the Board of Health. Wakefield successfully maintains lead and copper levels well below the EPA requirements. If you have any questions about lead in your drinking water or would like to have it tested, please contact the Department of Public Works.

Please find below the mandatory language from the DEP pertaining to the specified sampling events. While these instances were not classified as emergencies, we believe it is important for you to be fully informed about the occurrences and the actions undertaken to resolve them.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a routine basis. Results of routine monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During Quarter 3, we did not monitor or test for Lead and Copper, Total Trihalomethanes, and Haloacetic Acids and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during that time. The table below lists the contaminants we did not properly test for during the last year, how often we are supposed to sample for these contaminants and how many samples we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have been taken, and the date on which follow-up samples were taken. We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table below. The samples showed we are meeting drinking water standards.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public space or distributing copes by hand or mail.

Please note that the Broadway Water Treatment Plant was not in operation during Quarter 3. As a result, all water was supplied by the MWRA, which routinely monitors its water quality.

The required samples for Lead and Copper, Total Trihalomethanes, and Haloacetic Acids were promptly taken the following month. These, along with all other required routine sampling events in 2024, showed no violations and were well within established standards.

UNREGULATED PFAS CONTAMINANTS

PFAS6 is a group of 6 different contaminants that are regulated as a group. Other PFAS chemicals are unregulated. Two unregulated PFAS contaminants were detected.

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT

The DEP conducted a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) in 2004 to assess the susceptibility of the Crystal Lake supply to contamination. Based on their findings, DEP assigned a high susceptibility rank to Crystal Lake. However, the Town maintains treatment at Crystal Lake that meets or exceeds all drinking water standards and conducts extensive monitoring as described in this report to mitigate risk of contamination. The complete SWAP report is available at the Department of Public Works or online at: www.mass.gov/doc/wakefield-water-department-swap-report/download

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

We wanted to share some exciting news regarding recent upgrades to our town’s water infrastructure over the 2024 year. As you may know, the old Hart’s Hill Standpipe has been replaced with a brand new, state-of-the-art water storage tank. This new tank was officially placed into service on August 28, 2024, marking a significant improvement in our water storage capabilities. This is a project that only occurs every 100 years.

In addition to the new tank, the town has also upgraded approximately 4,000 feet of water main and installed numerous new hydrants. These upgrades will improve water flow, water quality, and fire protection throughout the area. To further enhance our capabilities, the Water Department has added a cutting-edge vacuum truck with hydro excavation capabilities to the fleet. This new equipment will be invaluable for everything from water main installations to emergency repairs.

Joseph Conway, Director of Public Works

For additional information please contact:
Steven J. Fitzpatrick, Water Quality & Production Manager
Department of Public Works, Town Hall, 1 Lafayette Street
Tel. (781) 246-6318, sjfitzpatrick@wakefield.ma.us

LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORY

In October of 2024, Wakefield completed an inventory of every service line (the small pipe that connects your home to the water main) and submitted it to MassDEP. In November, we mailed a letter to each property that our records indicated has a lead service line or a galvanized line that could contribute lead with information about the risks of lead and how to get the service line replaced. We also mailed a letter to every property where our records did not have information about the service line material with information on how to determine if it was made of lead. For a copy of the inventory, or to find out if you have a lead service line and how to get it replaced, go to: www.wakefield.ma.us/lead or call the phone number listed above.

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Wilmington DPW - Water & Sewer Division
121 Glen Road
Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887
Public Water Supply #3342000

Office of the Director
115 Andover Street
Wilmington, MA 01887
Telephone (978) 658-4711
Fax (978) 694-2003
TTY (978) 694-1417

Wilmington Water Supply:

The Wilmington distribution system consists of over 138 miles of water mains, 1250 public fire hydrants and three water storage tanks and provides drinking water to 99 percent of all residents and businesses in the Town. The Town has four active wells that serve as the primary supply of water for the system: Brown’s Crossing, Barrow’s, Shawsheen Avenue, and Salem Street. After being treated at one of the two water treatment plants, water is pumped to three storage tanks and to the homes and businesses in Wilmington. In times of high demand, MWRA (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority) water is used to supplement the Town’s supply. In 2024, Town wells supplied approximately 75 percent of drinking water while the MWRA provided about 25 percent. This letter provides information about Wilmington’s local water sources and treatment. Data about the MWRA sources and treatment is in the rest of this report.

How Is My Water Treated?

The water is first aerated to improve taste and then treated to remove iron and manganese. Alum is added to allow particles to clump together and settle out, and then the water is filtered through granulated activated carbon (GAC) beds. The water is disinfected with chlorine, which is then converted to chloramine to keep the water safe within the distribution system, without increasing disinfection byproducts. More detailed information on our sources, treatment, and the characteristics of the water you receive is available at www.wilmingtonma.gov/water-sewer-division.

Lead and Copper Sampling:

To comply with the EPA Lead and Copper Rule, the Wilmington Water Division completed one round of sampling in 2024. Sample results show that Wilmington remains in compliance as the 90th percentile results, 1.6 ppb for lead and 100 ppb for copper, are below the EPA action levels of
15 ppb for lead and 1300 ppb for copper. No sites were above the action levels.

In 2024, the Town of Wilmington completed and submitted to MassDEP a complete inventory of all water service lines in Wilmington, as required by the EPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). All of the water services have been identified as “Non-Lead.” The inventory can be accessed by calling the Wilmington Water Division at 978-658-4711.

What is in My Water?

Only the following regulated contaminants were detected in 2024.

Mandatory Outdoor Water Restrictions: 

NO Outdoor Watering between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Sprinkler Systems:

Both above ground or installed underground, can be used once per week, subject to the restrictions above. VIOLATION OF THESE WATER USE RESTRICTIONS WILL RESULT IN A MINIMUM $50.00 PER DAY FINE.

Water & Sewer Commission Meetings: 

The Commission meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, unless otherwise posted. Please call in advance if you want to discuss a specific issue, and we will include your topic on our agenda.

If you would like to see a copy of our Source Water Assessment & Protection Program (SWAP) Report, it is available at the Wilmington Water Division and online at: www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/3342000.pdf.

For more detailed information, call us at (978) 658-4711 or go to www.wilmingtonma.gov/water-sewer-division.

Joseph Lobao
Department of Public Works Deputy Director

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Town of Winchester
Department of Public Works
Public Water Supply #3344000

Dear Customer,
The 2024 Drinking Water Report to Consumers provides a comprehensive overview of the quality of drinking water delivered by the Winchester Water Department in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). We are pleased to be working with MWRA to provide important information about the water that reaches your home. This report offers detailed insights into the source water reservoirs managed by both Winchester and MWRA, as well as the thorough testing conducted to meet federal and state water quality standards. Winchester’s water supply comes from two sources: MWRA system and town-owned reservoirs located in the Middlesex Fells Reservation near South Border Road. The Winchester Water Treatment Plant, situated at the South Reservoir, ensures the town’s water quality goes through a rigorous treatment process that includes filtration, water quality testing, reservoir patrolling, sanitary surveys and comprehensive watershed management.

The town’s water distribution system is divided into three pressure zones: the Westside High System, the Eastside High System, and the Middle Low System. The Westside High System, which serves areas west of Cambridge Street, is supplied exclusively by MWRA water year-round. The Eastside High System receives water from the Winchester Water Treatment Plant from October through April and transitions to MWRA water from May through September. This system serves neighborhoods east of Washington Street, east of Main Street to Symmes Corner, and east of Grove Street. The Middle Low System is consistently supplied by the Winchester Water Treatment Plant and serves areas west of Washington Street, Main Street, and Grove Street. This structured approach ensures a safe, reliable, and well-managed water supply for the Winchester community.

The Town of Winchester, through the efforts of the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting Members, has taken an aggressive approach in ensuring our drinking water meets the highest standards. The following are some system improvements over the last few years:

• In 2023, the Winchester Water Department was again awarded the Public System Water Award for outstanding performance.
• The bubble aeration system installed by the Town of Winchester in 2023 has been deemed successful in mitigating manganese concentrations, as confirmed through monthly testing.
• In 2023 the Town took 4 consecutive quarters of PFAS samples. All sample results were “Non-Detect” for PFAS. Only trace amounts too low to quantify were detected.
• The rehabilitation of the Dam at the South Reservoir is underway and expected to be completed in late 2025.

The DEP conducted a source water assessment survey in 2003 to assess the susceptibility of the town’s water supply. The full report is available online at www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/swapover.htm.

Winchester, in collaboration with the MWRA, routinely analyzes water samples to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulatory standards. Below, you will find a summary of the substances detected in Winchester’s drinking water sources, compared to the maximum contaminant levels (MCL) allowed by law. Not included are the more than 120 other substances tested, all of which were not detected in our water.

Additionally Winchester received a 3-year monitoring lead and copper waiver from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) due to 90% of samples not exceeding the Action Level. As a result, lead and copper samples were not collected in 2024. The most recent results, from 2023, are shown below. The 90th percentiles for both lead and copper were below their respective Action Levels.

In October of 2024, the Water Department completed an inventory of every service line (the small pipe that connects your home to the water main) and submitted it to MassDEP. In November, we mailed a letter to each property that our records indicated has a lead service line or a galvanized line that could contribute lead with information about the risks of lead and how to get the service line replaced. We also mailed a letter to every property where our records did not have information about the service line material with information on how to determine if it was made of lead. The inventory and information about our program to replace lead service lines is at: https://winchester.us/1279/Lead-Service-Line-Inventory-Program. Please contact the Water Department if you have any questions about your service line.

In 2024, Winchester used 57% of its total water use through two MWRA connections. The remaining 43% was supplied through the Winchester Water Treatment Plant. During the year, Winchester took 413 coliform samples which were tested. Results of all coliform samples were negative.

Winchester maintains 112 miles of water mains, approximately 900 fire hydrants, and two storage tanks. The city also implements a cross-connection control program to protect the water system from contamination.

If you would like additional information on your drinking water, or town meetings, please contact Dan Stoneking with the Winchester Water Department at (781) 721-7100. Alternatively, you may reach out to MWRA or MassDEP using the contact numbers provided in this report.

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City of Woburn, Massachusetts
Department of Public Works
50 No. Warren Street, Woburn, MA 01801
Tel. (781) 897-5990 • Fax. (781) 897-5989
Jay Duran, Superintendent
Public Water Supply #3347000

Dear Water Customer:
The Woburn Department of Public Works, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) supplies potable water to approximately 12,000 residential and commercial customers. This page provides information on the quality of water supplied through the municipal well field at Horn Pond during 2024. MWRA water quality information is contained elsewhere in this report. The following water quality data contains results based on annual testing performed in 2024.

Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP):

In 2003, the DEP conducted a Source Water Assessment to assess the susceptibility of the water supply within Woburn. The DEP susceptibility rating was high. The City conducts an extensive monitoring program in and around its drinking water sources. The City is currently reviewing and revising the current SWAP. The complete 2003 SWAP report is available online at www.mass.gov/service-details/the-source-water-assessment-protection-swap-program

Distribution:

During 2024, the City did cleaning and re-lining of old unlined pipes on Francis Street, Kilby Street, and Glenwood Avenue. We also installed a new water main on Newbridge Avenue from Elm Street to Main Street.

Cross-connection Control Program:

Woburn conducts a cross-connection control program to test backflow devices which protect water in the system from contamination. Please see the City of Woburn website at www.woburnma.gov.

Lead and Copper:

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Woburn Water Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. If you have concerns about your service line (the small pipe that connects your home to the water main) being lead, call the Woburn Water Department at 781-897-5945.

In October of 2024, Woburn completed an inventory of every service line (the small pipe that connects your home to the water main) and submitted it to MassDEP. We did not identify any lead service lines, but did identify a few galvanized lines that could contribute lead and notified those owners. We also found that we do not have full information on some service lines. In November, we mailed a letter to every property where our records did not have information about the service line material with information on how to determine if it was made of lead. For a copy of the inventory, or to find out if you have a lead service line and how to get it replaced, please contact the phone numbers listed above.

Regulated Contaminants:

The City obtains and tests samples from each well for volatile and synthetic organic compounds, inorganic compounds and bacteria. Within the distribution system, twenty-one separate locations are tested weekly or quarterly for bacteria, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, iron, and manganese. Lead and copper are tested annually. Other sites are tested periodically. All testing is scheduled and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Data on all regulated contaminants that were detected is shown in the table below.

Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS):

In 2023 Woburn was given a Notice of Non-compliance NON for failure to stay under the PFAS6 20 ppt standard. The city is working closely with DEP on the issue. For further information please visit www.woburnma.gov or www.mass.gov/info-details/per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas#health-advisories-and-downloadable-fact-sheets- Some people who drink water containing these PFAS in excess of the MCL may experience certain adverse effects. These could include effects of the liver, blood, immune system, thyroid and fetal development. These PFAS may also elevate the risk of certain cancers.

Meetings:

Water committee meetings are held by the City Council at City Hall. Public notice for these meetings can be found in the local newspaper, City Hall, and online at www.woburnma.gov. The City of Woburn is committed to providing clean and safe water to its residents and will continue to implement improvements that will allow us to meet this goal now and in the future.

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