Established in 1937

 

Centerville

Osterville

Marstons Mills

Water Department

P.O. Box 369, 1138 Main Street

Osterville, MA 02655

(508) 428-6691 Fax (508) 428-3508

January 2007

Public Water Supply

ID#4020002

2006

                                                WATER QUALITY REPORT

This is an annual report on the quality of the water delivered by the COMM Water Department.

This brochure contains information on the source and contents of our water and related health risks associated with any detected contaminants.

The COMM Water Department is committed to providing our customers with high quality, safe drinking water that exceeds every federal and state standard.

 

Where does my water come from?

The C-O-MM Water Department serves a summer population of 35,000 consumers from our groundwater wells. We currently pump from 19 sites as shown below.

As a means of additional water supply, water interconnections exist between COMM Water, Cotuit, Mashpee, Sandwich, Barnstable Fire District and The Hyannis Water System. No water was utilized from those sources in 2007.

 

Wells Located in Centerville

Wells (5+9) Lumbert Mill (7,8+11) Craigville

  Wells Located in Osterville   

Wells (1, 2 & 2A) McShane, (3+4) Arena and (10) Davis

  Wells Located in Marstons Mills

Wells (12+13) Murray, (14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22) Hayden & 

(16+19)  Harrison      

 

     

COMMUNITY AWARENESS TIP

 Residents are the eyes and ears of the community and we encourage you to call your local police with concerns about suspicious activities, illegal dumping, unauthorized use of fire hydrants, or other reportable offenses.

The table lists all the substances in drinking water that we detected during calendar year 2007. Although the presence of these substances in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk, we feel that it is important that you know exactly what and how much was detected. 

Highest Level

Range of

Contaminant

MCLG

MCL

Detected

Detection

Violation

Possible Source of Contamination

Regulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate (ppm)

10

10

4.1

<0.1 - 4.1

NO

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic

tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.

Alpha emitters

n/a

15

0.9

0.9

NO

Erosion of natural deposits

(pCi/L)(Data from 1999)

Unregulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloroform (ppb)

n/a

n/a

1.9

1.4 - 1.9

NO

In non-chlorinated sources may be naturally Occurring.

Sodium (ppm)

n/a

n/a

30

6.9 - 30

NO

Erosion of natural deposits, road salt run-off

Sulfate (ppm)

250

n/a

12

4.9 - 12

NO

Naturally present in the environment

MTBE (ppb)

n/a

n/a

0.79

ND - 0.79

NO

Leaking underground gasoline storage tanks. Ingredient in gasoline.

 

 

 

90th

Sample sites

 

 

Lead & Copper

 

 

Percentile

above the AL

 

 

Lead (ppb) (Data from 2007)

AL = 15

n/a

6

0 out of 45

NO

Corrosion of household plumbing; Erosion of natural deposits.

Copper(ppm)(Data from 2007)

AL = 1.3

n/a

0.820

0 out of 45

NO

Corrosion of household plumbing;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS

Action Level or AL: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible by using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for margin of safety.
pCi/L: (picocuries per liter): Measure of radioactivity of water.
ND: Not Detectable at testing limit.
n/a: Not applicable
ppb: parts per billion, or micrograms per liter
ppm: parts per million, or milligrams per liter
ppm: (parts per million): Equivalent to the fraction of a single penny in $10,000.
90th percentile: out of every 10 homes tested, 9 were at or below this level.
Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short period of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advise from your health care provider.

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is made from blending chemicals such as isobutylene and methanol, and has been used since the 1980’s as an additive for unleaded gasoline to achieve more efficient burning. The state guideline is 70 ppb.

Chloroform is a thrihalomethane and the maximum (THM) level allowed in drinking water is 100ppb. Levels of chloroform below 60 ppb are generally considered not to be a health risk. All wells are monitored through annual sampling.

Sodium-sensitive individuals, such as those experiencing hypertension, kidney failure, or congestive heart failure, should be aware of the sodium levels where exposures are being carefully controlled

U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency’s Safe Drinking Water

Hotline at

1-800-426-4791

Facts About Your Water Delivery System

Over 249.2 miles of water mains
11,823billed accounts and 35,000 customers
Provides fire protection through 1965 hydrants
Can store 5.5 million gallons of water in 3 storage tanks
Includes 19 Pumping Stations, 13 Treatment Facilities
662 Acres of watershed property
Discoloration caused by iron is controlled with a sequestering agent (zinc phosphate) at 4 wells
The pH of water on Cape Cod tends to be acidic in the range of 5.0 to 6.5 (pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of a liquid). On the pH scale, the number 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acidic, and more than 7 is alkaline (basic). Due to the lower pH in our water, we add a harmless alkaline substance (potassium hydroxide) to our water in order to reduce corrosion in the distribution system and in your home or business.
In 2007 the COMM Water Department delivered over one billion gallons of water.
For more information about

C-O-MM water system contact:

Craig A. Crocker, Superintendent

508-428-6691

Important Information From EPA About…..       

Contaminants in Bottled Water and Tap Water: Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contamination. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 1-800-426-4791.

Drinking Water and People with Weakened Immune Systems: 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 infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791.

Lead In Drinking Water: Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels in your home may be higher than at others 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. Flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water to reduce lead content. Additional information is available from the safe Drinking Water Hotline, 1-800-426-4791.

 

WHAT CONTAMINANTS MAY BE

PRESENT IN OUR WATER?

The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over 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.

Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.

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

Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, that 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, that are by-products of industrial process and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.

Radioactive Contaminants, that 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 DEP and EPA prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in the water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

Board of Water Commissioners

Monthly Meetings:

You are invited to participate in our public forum and voice your concerns about your drinking water. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 P.M. at the Centerville Fire Station, Route 28, Centerville, MA.

Meetings are subject to change. Changes will be posted at Town Hall, Centerville Fire Station, the Water Department Office and the website shown below.

 

Board of Water Commissioners:

William A. McIntyre, Chairman

Scott E. Crosby

Peter Hansen

Website : www.commwater.com

Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP)

What Is SWAP?

The Source Water Assessment Protection (SWAP) program assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies to potential contamination by microbiological pathogens and chemicals.

What Is My System’s Ranking?

A susceptibility ranking of high, was assigned to this system using the information collected during the assessment by the DEP. A source’s susceptibility to contamination does not imply poor water quality.

Actual water quality is best reflected by the results of regular water tests. To learn more about your water quality, refer to this report.

Where Can I See The SWAP Report?

The complete SWAP report is available at the Water Department Office and Board of Health. For more information, call Superintendent Craig Crocker 508-428-6691.

Residents Can Help Protect Sources By:

practicing good septic system maintenance,

supporting water supply protection initiatives at the next town/district meetings

taking hazardous household chemicals to hazardous materials collection days,

limiting pesticide and fertilizer use, etc.

 

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