General


  • 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.

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

  • Common Potential Sources of Contamination Include:
    septic systems, household hazardous materials, heating oil storage, stormwater, fertilizers, pesticides and automotive fluids.

  • 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.

  • Tips for Saving Water – Outdoors and Indoors
    Limits on outdoor water use are critical to help ensure that enough water is available for essential needs, including drinking water and fire protection, crop irrigation, and our natural resources.
    Visit Mass.gov site for more tips on water conservation.