City of Taunton DPW Water Division

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Annual

Water Quality

ReportWater testing performed in 2005

PWS ID#: MA4293000

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How Is My Water Treatedand Purified?

The treatment process consists

of a series of steps. First, water is drawn from Elders Pond, the terminal reservoir of the water supply system. Caustic soda is added as a pretreatment to help increase the alkalinity. An oxidant is added when needed to help remove naturally occurring manganese from the water. Then carbon dioxide gas is added to increase the alkalinity of the water for improved coagulation of sediment. Then, a coagulant (polyaluminum chloride) is added to cause small particles to clump together (called floc), making them heavy enough to settle into a basin from which the accumulated sediment is removed. The water is then filtered through four 39” deep, anthracite coal and sand filter beds to remove any remaining particles. As these smaller suspended particles are removed, the turbidity of the water is greatly reduced and clear water is produced. The water exiting the filters is then run through a UV light system to help reduce the amount of chemical disinfectant required. Next, chloramines are added for disinfection to prevent waterborne diseases and to provide a disinfectant residual as the water travels from the treatment plant through the distribution system and to your home or business. Before leaving the treatment plant, caustic soda (to adjust final pH for corrosion control) and fluoride (to prevent tooth decay) are also added.

Community Participation

To voice your concerns about your drinking water, please send a letter to the DPW Water Division

Manager, Douglas R. Valovcin, in care of the main office at city hall. You may be invited to appear at one of the Taunton City Council’s regularly scheduled meetings, which are held every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester R. Martin Municipal Council Chambers, City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, Massachusetts.

UV Reactor

Continuing Our Commitment

Once again we proudly present

our annual water quality report. This edition covers all testing completed from January through December 2005. The City of Taunton DPW Water Division is committed to providing you with the safest and most reliable water supply. We will mail you a report each year with information about the quality of your drinking water. Since its inception in 1876, the Taunton DPW Water Division’s goal has been to produce the highest quality drinking water possible for all of our customers. Through foresight and planning, efficient operations, and a focus on excellent customer service we will provide you with the finest quality drinking water that we can at an economical price well into the twenty-first century. We welcome your questions and concerns regarding your drinking water.

For more information about this report, or for any questions relating to your drinking water, please contact Jon Chase, Water Treatment Facility Chief Operator, at (508) 947-0690, ext. 111. You can also visit our Web site at www.tauntonwater.com.

Important Health Information

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general

population. Immunocom-promised 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 infants may be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The U.S. EPA/CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen

the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Taunton Water Works

Lead in Drinking Water

Lead is a naturally occurring element in our environment. Consequently, our water supply is expected to contain small, undetectable amounts of lead. However, most of the lead in household water usually comes from the

plumbing in your own home, not from the local water supply. The U.S. EPA estimates that more than 40 million U.S. residents use water that can contain lead in excess of the U.S. EPA’s Action Level of 15 ppb.

Lead in drinking water is a concern because young children, infants, and fetuses appear to be particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. A dose that would have little effect on an adult can have a big effect on a small body. On average, it is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10% and 20% of total lead exposure in young children.

All kinds of water, however, may have high levels of lead. We maintain our drinking water supply at an optimum pH and mineral content level to help prevent corrosion in your home’s pipes. To reduce lead levels in your drinking water you should flush your cold-water pipes by running the water until it becomes as cold as it will get (anywhere from 5 seconds to 2 minutes or longer) and use only water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead.

For more information, please contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Where Does My Water Come From?

The drinking water supplied by our system comes from six surface water sources. The source waters are Assawompset, Pocksha, Great Quittacus, Little Quittacus, Long (these five hydrologically interconnected ponds

are collectively known as the Assawompset Pond Complex), and Elders Pond. All six reservoirs are located in parts of Freetown, Lakeville, Middleboro, and Rochester, Massachusetts. Raw water from these ponds is first treated at the Charles J. Rocheleau Water Filtration Plant located in Lakeville. The treated water is then pumped to the distribution system where it is either delivered to your home or business or sent to one of five storage facilities around the city. The Prospect Hill Reservoir (22.5 million gallons), the Myles Standish Industrial Park Standpipe (2.1 million gallons), the Westville Elevated Storage Tank (.3 million gallons), the Oakland Elevated Storage Tank (.75 million gallons), and the East Taunton Elevated Storage Tank (1 million gallons) combined provide more than 26 million gallons of distribution storage. Our system has two interconnections to supply both the Village of North Dighton Water District and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bridgewater Correctional Complex with potable water. Our system also has potable water services in parts of Berkley, Lakeville, Middleboro, Norton, and Raynham. Our system also has two interconnections to supply both the Town of Raynham Center Water District and the Town of Dighton in the event that they need potable water for emergency purposes.

Source Water Assessment and Protection Program

In September 2002, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) completed a Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Report (SWAP) for the City of Taunton’s public water system. The Source Water

Assessment and Protection Program, established under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, requires every state to (1) inventory land uses within the recharge areas of all public water supply sources, (2) assess the susceptibility of drinking water sources to contamination from these land uses, and (3) publicize the results to provide support for improved protection. The Taunton Water System was assigned a susceptibility ranking of high based on the MADEP assessment of potential pollution sources in our watershed. These threats include a variety of land uses, such as cranberry bogs, horse farms, transportation corridors (local roads and highways), and septic systems/cesspools. The SWAP report is available at the Taunton DPW Water Division, City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, Massachusetts, 02780, and online at www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/dws. In light of our system’s ranking, we currently participate in several programs to protect our water supply. We are voting members of the APC Management Committee, a group of the abutting communities and state officials who meet quarterly to manage and protect the Assawompset Pond Complex. We also actively review and comment on all permitted activities within 400 feet of any of our source waters. We regularly patrol the ponds in cooperation with other APC members to protect the integrity of the APC itself. For more information, contact Cathal O’Brien, Sanitary

Engineer, at (508) 947-0690, ext. 112.

Substances That Might Be in Drinking Water

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants

in water provided by public water systems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the 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.

The 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 can acquire naturally occurring minerals, in some cases, radioactive material, and substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Substances 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, or wildlife;

Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or may result from urban storm-water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming;

Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm-water runoff, and residential uses;

Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and may also come from gas stations, urban storm-water runoff, and septic systems;

Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or may be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

What Causes the Pink Stain on Bathroom Fixtures?

The reddish-pink color frequently noted in bathrooms on shower stalls, tubs, tile, toilets, sinks, toothbrush holders, and on pets’ water bowls is caused by the growth of the bacterium Serratia marcescens. Serratia is commonly isolated

from soil, water, plants, insects, and vertebrates (including man). The bacteria can be introduced into the house through any of the above-mentioned sources. The bathroom provides a perfect environment (moist and warm) for bacteria to thrive.

The best solution to this problem is to continually clean and dry the involved surfaces to keep them free from bacteria. Chlorine-based compounds work best, but keep in mind that abrasive cleaners may scratch fixtures making them more susceptible to bacterial growth. Chlorine bleach can be used periodically to disinfect the toilet and help to eliminate the occurrence of the pink residue. Keeping bathtubs and sinks wiped down using a solution that contains chlorine will also help to minimize its occurrence.

Serratia will not survive in chlorinated drinking water.

Water Conservation Tips

Water conservation measures are an important first step in protecting our water supply. Such

measures not only save the supply of our source water, but also can save you money by reducing your water bill. Here are a few suggestions:

• Fix leaking faucets, pipes, toilets, etc.

• Replace old fixtures; install water-saving devices in faucets, toilets and appliances.

• Wash only full loads of laundry.

• Do not use the toilet for trash disposal.

• Take shorter showers.

• Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.

• Soak dishes before washing.

• Run the dishwasher only when full.

• Water the lawn and garden in the early morning or evening.

• Use mulch around plants and shrubs.

• Repair leaks in faucets and hoses.

• Use water-saving nozzles.

• Use water from a bucket to wash your car, and save the hose for rinsing.

Information on other ways that you can help conserve water can be found at www.epa.gov/

safewater/publicoutreach/index.html.

Conservation measures you can use inside your home:

You can conserve outdoors as well:

Table Definitions90th Percentile: Out of every 10 homes sampled, 9 were at or below this level.

AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): 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.

MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): 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.

MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.

NA: Not applicable.

ND: Not detected.

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Measurement of the clarity, or turbidity, of water.

pCi/L (picocuries per liter): A measure of radioactivity.

ppb (parts per billion): One part substance per billion parts water (or micrograms per liter).

ppm (parts per million): One part substance per million parts water (or milligrams per liter).

TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Sampling Results

During the past year we have taken hundreds of water samples in order to determine the presence of any radioactive, biological, inorganic, volatile organic, or synthetic organic contaminants. The table below shows only those contaminants that were detected in

the water. Although all of the substances listed here are under the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), we feel it is important that you know exactly what was detected and how much of the substance was present in the water. Unregulated contaminants are for those which the U.S. EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to enable the U.S. EPA to determine their occurrence in drinking water and whether or not future regulation is warranted. The state requires us to monitor for certain substances less than once per year because the concentrations of these substances do not change frequently. In these cases, the most recent sample data are included, along with the year in which the sample was taken.

1Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. During the reporting year, 100% of all samples taken to measure turbidity met water quality standards. 2Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home’s plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may wish to have your water tested and flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Tap water samples were collected for lead and copper analyses from 31 homes throughout the service area Amount Homes YeAr Action DetecteD Above substAnce(units) sAmpleD level mclG (90tH%tile) Actionlevel violAtion tYpicAlsource

Copper (ppm) 2004 1.3 1.3 0.13 0 No Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives

Lead (ppb)2 2004 15 0 9 2 No Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits

ReguLATeD SuBSTAnCeS YeAr mcl mclG Amount rAnGe substAnce(units) sAmpleD (mrDl) (mrDlG) DetecteD low–HiGH violAtion tYpicAlsource

Chloramines 2005 (4) (4) 1.44 0.04-2.6 No Water additive used to control microbes Disinfectant Residual (ppm)

Fluoride (ppm) 2005 4 4 1.44 ND-1.44 No Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

HAAs (Haloacetic Acids) 2005 60 NA 15.1 7.1-22 No By-product of drinking water (ppb) disinfection

Combined Radium 2003 5 NA 0.1 0.1-0.1 No Erosion of natural deposits (pCi/L)

TTHMs [Total 2005 80 NA 34.63 22.5-51.4 No By-product of drinking water Trihalomethanes] (ppb) disinfection

Turbidity (NTU)1 2005 TT NA 0.24 0.04-0.24 No Soil runoff (1.0= Turbidity Limit)

unReguLATeD SuBSTAnCeS YeAr Amount rAnGe substAnce(units) sAmpleD DetecteD low–HiGH tYpicAlsource

Manganese (ppb) 2005 100 2-100 Erosion of natural deposits

Sodium (ppm) 2005 29.8 29.8-29.8 Erosion of natural deposits; soil runoff