This report is a snapshot of drinking water quality that we provided last year. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to state and federal standards. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies.
I. PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM INFORMATION |
Address: Town Hall 1196 Main Street
Contact Person: Randy Swigor, Superintendent
Telephone #: 508-829-0248 Fax #: 508-829-0252
Water System Improvements
Our water system is routinely inspected by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP inspects our system for its technical, financial and managerial capacity to provide safe drinking water to you. To ensure that we provide the highest quality of water available, your water system is operated by a Massachusetts certified operators who oversee the routine operations of our system. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible drinking water, we recently completed construction and placed into service the new water treatment facility located on Wachusett Street. This new facility provides state of the art treatment for the Quinapoxet and Mill St. Wells. It also provides computer monitoring and control for these wells. This facility adjusts the pH of the well water with Potassium Hydroxide and adds Sodium
Fluoride for dental protection. Further treatment information is provided below. We also finished installing new meters in all residential homes in Town. All new meters are now equipped with radio transmitters that send out the data to our receiver located in our meter reading truck. We can now read all water meters in Town in a few days as opposed to a few months. This has allowed us to be able to change our billing cycle to monthly instead of quarterly. It has also helped us (and you) detect a leak in your plumbing much sooner, so it saves you money and saves us water.
Opportunities for Public Participation
If you would like to participate in discussions regarding your water quality, you may attend a quarterly Water/Sewer Advisory Board meeting. If you wish to attend a meeting, please check the Town bulletin board or local access television channel for dates. Or you may call the Superintendent directly at 508-829-0248.
II. YOUR DRINKING WATER SOURCE |
Where Does My Drinking Water Come From?
The Town’s water supply comes from five wells and two interconnections with the City of Worcester. Each source is listed below in the table:
Source Name |
DEP Source ID# |
Source Type |
Location of Source |
Quinapoxet Wells |
2134000-02G |
Gravel Packed Wells |
Off Wachusett Street |
Mill Street Well Field |
2134000-03G |
Tubular Well Field |
Off Mill Street |
Mason Road Well Field |
2134000-04G |
Tubular Well Field |
Off Mason Road |
Spring Street Well |
2134000-05G |
Gravel Packed Well |
Off Spring Street |
Brattle Street Interconnection |
2134000-01P |
Interconnection with Worcester |
Brattle Street |
Salisbury Street Interconnection |
2134000-02P |
Interconnection with Worcester |
Salisbury Street |
Is My Water Treated?
Water from our Town wells is treated with Potassium Hydroxide for pH adjustment and Sodium Fluoride for Fluoridation. The groundwater in Holden has a naturally low pH which means it is somewhat acidic and therefore corrosive. The Potassium Hydroxide raises the pH to just above neutral (7.0) so that it is not acidic and corrosive. The Sodium Fluoride is added to provide cavity protection for infants and children. The water which we buy from Worcester is treated at Worcester’s Water Filtration Plant. We keep copies of Worcester’s Water Quality Report at Town Hall if you would like to learn more about their water sources and treatment processes. The one notable difference in Worcester’s water is that they chlorinate the water. So if you live in the southern end of Town you may occasionally receive chlorinated water. Worcester
does not Fluoridate, so we do add Sodium Fluoride at both of the interconnections. The water quality of our system is constantly monitored by us and the DEP to determine the effectiveness of existing water treatment and to determine if any additional treatment is required.
How Are These Sources Protected?
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the Town’s water supply sources. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of the supplies to contamination. The complete SWAP report is available at Town Hall or online at http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/ceroreps.htm.
III. SUBSTANCES FOUND IN DRINKING WATER |
Sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, and in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
Microbial contaminants -such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants -such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming.
Pesticides and herbicides -which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
Organic chemical contaminants -including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
Radioactive contaminants -which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and some infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on lowering the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
IV. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS |
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) – The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) –The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) -- The highest level of a disinfectant (chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide) allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) -- The level of a drinking water disinfectant (chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide) below which there is no known of expected risk to health. MRDLG's do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Action Level (AL) – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
90th Percentile – Out of every 10 homes sampled, 9 were at or below this level.
ppm = parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/l) ND = Not Detected
ppb = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/l) N/A = Not Applicable
pCi/l = picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) – These standards are developed to protect the aesthetic qualities of drinking water and are not health based.
Massachusetts Office of Research and Standards Guideline (ORSG) – This is the concentration of a chemical in drinking water, at or below which, adverse health effects are unlikely to occur after chronic (lifetime) exposure. If exceeded, it serves as an indicator of the potential need for further action.
V. WATER QUALITY TESTING RESULTS |
What Does This Data Represent?
There are over 100 regulated and unregulated contaminants that we test for. The water quality information presented in the tables below are from the most recent round of testing done in accordance with the regulations. The tables list anything that was detected during testing. It is important to note that no contaminants were detected above the maximum allowable level.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has reduced the monitoring requirements for inorganic contaminants because our sources are not at risk of contamination. The last sample collected for these contaminants was taken in 2002 and was found to meet all applicable EPA and DEP standards.
|
Date(s) Collected |
90TH percentile |
Action Level |
MCLG |
# of sites sampled |
# of sites above Action Level |
Possible Source of Contamination |
Lead (ppb) |
9/13-15/05 |
2 |
15 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits |
Copper (ppm) |
9/13-15/05 |
0.69 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
30 |
0 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives |
|
Highest # Positive in a month |
MCL
Per month |
MCLG |
Violation (Y/N) |
Possible Source of Contamination |
Total Coliform |
1** |
1 |
0 |
N |
Naturally present in the environment |
Fecal Coliform or E.coli |
0 |
* |
0 |
N |
Human and animal fecal waste |
* Compliance with the Fecal Coliform/E.coli MCL is determined upon additional repeat testing.
**One positive sample out of 384 samples analyzed for the entire year of 2005.
Regulated Contaminant |
Date(s) Collected |
Max Detect |
Range Detected |
Highest Average |
MCL
or
MRDL |
MCLG or MRDLG |
Violation (Y/N) |
Possible Source(s) of Contamination |
Inorganic Contaminants |
Barium (ppm) |
6/02 |
0.047 |
0.006 -0.047 |
NA |
2 |
2 |
N |
Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits |
Fluoride (ppm) |
6/02 |
1.35 |
1.14 -1.35 |
NA |
4 |
4 |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
Nitrate (ppm) |
5/05 |
3.0 |
0.4-3.0 |
NA |
10 |
10 |
N |
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
Selenium (ppb) |
6/02 |
0.002 |
0 – 0.002 |
NA |
50 |
50 |
N |
Discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines |
Radioactive Contaminants |
Gross Alpha (pCi/l) (minus uranium) |
6/03 |
0.6 |
0-0.6 |
NA |
15 |
0 |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Disinfection By-Products |
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (ppb) |
qrtly |
69 |
0-69 |
45.88 |
80 |
----- |
N |
Byproduct of drinking water chlorination |
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb) |
qrtly |
29 |
0-29 |
25.5 |
60 |
----- |
N |
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection |
Chlorine (ppm) |
monthly |
1.8 |
0-1.8 |
0.72 |
4 |
4 |
N |
Water additive used to control microbes |
Unregulated contaminants are those for which there are no established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist regulatory agencies in determining their occurrence in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted.
Unregulated Contaminant |
Date(s) Collected |
Result or Range Detected |
Average Detected |
SMCL |
ORSG |
Possible Source |
Inorganic Contaminants |
Sodium (ppm) |
5/05 |
17-27 |
19.5 |
---- |
20 |
Natural sources; runoff from use as salt on roadways; by-product of treatment process |
Sulfate (ppm) |
6/02 |
4.9-14 |
6.5 |
250 |
---- |
Natural sources |
Radiological Contaminants |
Radon (pCi/L) |
6/03 |
1,100-1,400 |
1,233 |
---- |
10,000 |
Natural sources |
Organic Contaminants |
MTBE (ppb) |
5/05 |
0-4.5 |
1.36 |
20-40 |
70 |
Fuel additive |
Secondary Contaminant |
Date(s) Collected |
Result or Range Detected |
SMCL |
Possible Source |
Iron (ppm) |
5/05 |
0-0.28 |
0.3 |
Naturally occurring, corrosion of cast iron pipes |
Manganese (ppm) |
5/05 |
0.001-0.077 |
0.05* |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Alkalinity (ppm) |
5/05 |
26-78 |
none |
Buffering capacity of water |
Aluminum (ppm) |
5/05 |
0.014-0.037 |
0.2 |
Byproduct of treatment process |
Chloride (ppm) |
5/05 |
24-40 |
250 |
Runoff from road de-icing, use of inorganic fertilizers, landfill leachates, septic tank effluents, animal feeds, industrial effluents, irrigation drainage, and seawater intrusion in coastal areas |
Copper (ppm) |
5/05 |
0.004-0.034 |
1 |
Naturally occurring organic material |
Hardness (ppm) |
5/05 |
20-31 |
none |
Naturally occurring minerals |
Potassium (ppm) |
5/05 |
14-48 |
none |
Naturally occurring mineral |
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) (ppm) |
5/05 |
90-204 |
500 |
Erosion of natural deposits. |
* The EPA has established a lifetime health advisory (HA) value of 0.3 mg/L for manganese to protect against concerns of potential neurological effects, and a One-day and 10-day HA of 1 mg/L for acute exposure.
VI. COMPLIANCE WITH DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS |
Does My Drinking Water Meet Current Health Standards?
We are committed to providing you with the best water quality available. Every year we conduct as many and usually more water quality tests than most bottled water suppliers. We are proud to report that last year your drinking water met all applicable health standards regulated by the state and federal government. There were no water quality violations or reporting violations for 2005. We do all of this for less than a penny per gallon!
VII. CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL INFORMATION |
State regulations require that any plumbing connection between the Town’s water system and anything that may contaminate the Town’s water system, be protected by a device called a backflow prevention device. Examples of cross connections include private wells connected to the Town water system, irrigation systems, fire sprinkler systems, hot water systems using chemicals. You may have recently received a letter from the Town indicating that you have one of these devices and that the device must be tested to insure proper operation. If you have a backflow prevention device in your plumbing system, we ask that you follow the State Regulations (310 CMR 22.22) and have the device tested accordingly.
We ask that all customers try to conserve water as this saves the customer money and saves our natural resources. We have noted that in the late spring and summer (after the lawn irrigation systems are turned on) when we have a period of extended rain, our water demands do not decrease as much as would be expected. This indicates that many of the irrigation systems may be operating even during rainy days. If you have an irrigation system and you notice that it operates on rainy days, you may be wasting money. A simple rain sensor connected to the system would not allow the system to operate if there has been recent precipitation. These devices are inexpensive and relatively easy to install.
| 
