Easton Water Works - Commitment to Quality
2001 Water Quality Report
(PWS ID# MA4088000)

This report outlines the processes involved in delivering to you the highest quality drinking water available. In it, we will answer these important questions:

• Where does my water come from?
• What is in my drinking water?

We will also provide information on other available resources that will answer questions about water quality and health effects.

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 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.
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, and wildlife;

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

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, or farming;

Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts 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, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. 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 U.S. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Easton’s water is a groundwater supply consisting of five gravel-packed wells and one well field.  The wells are located throughout the town’s boundaries and pump between 350 gallons per minutes and 1,000 gallons per minute.

  Easton’s water is distributed to your home through a network of water mains totaling over 152 miles long and range in size from 4 inches in diameter to 16 inches in diameter.  Currently, we have 6,179 active services connected to our system.

We are pleased to report that during the past year, the water delivered to your home or business complied with, or did better than, all state and federal drinking water requirements.  For your information, we have compiled a list in the table below showing what substances were detected in our drinking water during 2001.  Although all of the substances listed below are under the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) set by U.S. EPA, we feel it is important that you know exactly what was detected and how much of the substance was present in the water.  For more information about this report, or for any questions relating to your drinking water, please call John J. Marsh, Superintendent, at (508) 238-3641.

LEAD & COPPER (Tap water samples were collected from 32 homes in the service area. None were detected above the AL.) 

UNREGULATED SUBSTANCES

Footnotes:
¹ Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water.  We monitor it because it is a good indicator of water quality and the effectiveness of disinfectants.
² Infants 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 material used in your home’s plumbing.  If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you should have your water tested and flush your tap or 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water.  Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

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 

NA:  Not applicable.

Parts per billion (ppb):  One part per billion (or micrograms per liter) is equivalent to one penny in $10,000,000.

Picocurries per litter (pCi/L):  Measurement of the natural rate of disintegration.

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

Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, taste, or smell. It is found throughout the United States. Radon can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can build up to high levels in all types of homes. Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other household activities. Compared to radon entering the home through soil, radon entering the home through tap water will be (in most cases) a small source of radon in indoor air. During 2000, samples taken to analyze for radon ranged from 810 to 1,730 picocuries per liter. Currently, radon is not regulated but legislation has been proposed that will allow the EPA to establish an MCL. 

The simple fact is, bacteria and other microorganisms inhabit our world. They can be found all around us: in our food; on our skin; in our bodies; and, in the air, soil and water. Some are harmful to us and some are not. Coliform bacteria are common in the environment and are generally not harmful themselves.The presence of this bacterial form in drinking water is a concern because they indicate that the water may be contaminated with other organisms that can cause disease. Throughout 2000, we tested 686 samples for coliform bacteria. In that time, only 1 sample came back positive for the bacteria. At no time did this incident pose a threat to public health and safety. Federal regulations now require that public water testing positive for coliform bacteria must be further analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria. Fecal coliform are present only in human and animal waste. Because these bacteria can cause illness, it is unacceptable for fecal coliform to be present in water at any concentration. Our tests indicate no fecal coliform is present in our water.

We encourage public interest and participation in our community's decisions affecting drinking water. The Easton Water Division conducts a yearly Open House during the first week in May. The Water Resource Advisory Commission meets regularly. Meeting notices are posted on the board at the Town Hall. The Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee meets the first Thursday of each month, alternating locations between the five participating towns. Call 508-238-3641 for more information. Also, please visit our Web site at www.easton.ma.us.

The U.S. EPA Office of Water (www.epa.gov/watrhome) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) Web sites provide a substantial amount of information on many issues relating to water resources, water conservation and public health.  Also, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has a Web site (www.MADEP.epa.gov) that provides complete and current information on water issues in our own state.

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 can also save you money by reducing your your water bills. Here are a few suggestions.

• Fix leaking faucets, pipes, toilets, etc.
• Install water-saving devices in faucets, toilets and appliances.
• Replace old fixtures.
• 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.