COMMONWEALTH OF
Town of Southwick
Southwick water division
WATER QUALITY REPORT
PWS 1279000
2007
The
Southwick Water Supply is a 1st Rate System.
The Southwick Water Division provides you, our customers, with pure,
safe, sparkling and taste free drinking water.
The Water Department employees and the Water Commissioners are committed
to work diligently to provide this same level service, and to provide for the
future growth of the Town by maintaining, repairing, and increasing the
capacity of the water system.
Due to the events that took place on
9/11/2001, care must be taken on how much detail is published. All Public Water Systems have been advised to
increase security since all are susceptible to the acts of others. A
vulnerability assessment study has been completed by the National Rural Water
Associations Security and Emergency Management System. This study is a
requirement of the federal enacted Safe Drinking Water Act. The contents of
this report are confidential for security reasons.
Diligent efforts to protect this system will
continue to make it our legacy to our children.
Water Source:
Our water comes
from these two sources:
1.)
The Town well, which is located along the Great Brook Aquifer, supplies 95% of
our water. Southwick is very fortunate
to have one of the most pristine and productive aquifers in this part of the
country.
2.)
Two (2) connections to the Springfield Water System Aqueduct and associated
booster pumps are used to supplement the Town’s water system needs and to act
as a backup supply in an emergency situation.
The Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) completed a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) in April of 2003. The
report on this program lists potential contamination sources, and a summary of
our systems susceptibility to these contaminant sources. The report may be reviewed
and a copy obtained at the Town of Southwick Department of Public Works at 454
College Highway Southwick, MA.
Distribution System:
After the water enters the system, from
either source, it is pumped up into the storage tank, which also serves as the
pressure regulator for the water system.
At the same time, the tank also acts as a reservoir of stored water,
which can be used for fire fighting or any other emergency.
From the tank, the water enters the
distribution system and branches out through a maze of approximately 50 miles
of pipes, eventually connecting to your faucets. During the past several years, Water Division
efforts have been concentrated on upgrading the distribution system and many
significant improvements have been made.
More and more demands are being put on the water system due to the
increase in housing development. In
order to keep up with this added demand for drinking water and fire fighting
capabilities, lines that were adequate in size 5 or 10 years ago need to be
replaced with larger sized lines. During
2006, hydraulic testing and a computer model of the system were completed by
Tighe & Bond Engineers from Westfield.
Recommendations were made to add a higher capacity redundant well to
increase our pumping capacity, and then a second million-gallon tank to
increase our water storage capacity to a 3-day supply. Town voters approved the requested funding
for permitting and installation of the new well. Currently the new redundant
well casing and screen has been installed. The construction of the well pump,
equipment, and well house is underway, and the design of the new million gallon
tank has started. The new well is expected to be completed and on line with a
pumping capacity of 500,000 gallons per day by mid 2008. Combined with the
existing well Southwick will then have a total pumping capacity of 1,000,000
gallons per day. This will allow Southwick to use less Springfield water thus
reducing the chlorinated taste and smell that comes from this source, and
provide for long term increases in demand for water by additional development.
In
2008 the water division will be designing and installing a computerized system
of controls that will allow us to completely control all of the well pumps and water
tank levels from remote computer stations.
How do we ensure Water Quality?
Southwick Water System water is tested at a
certified independent laboratory and the results of these tests are compared to
USEPA and MADEP standards for safe drinking water. These tests are scheduled by DEP and
performed throughout the year. Specific
tests are performed for bacteria, volatile organic compounds, synthetic organic
compounds, inorganic compounds, lead, copper, and disinfection byproducts. Approximately 400 of these tests are taken
each year to insure the safety and quality of our drinking water. The test
results are available for review at the DPW office at Southwick Town Hall.
The Town is required to test for lead or
copper every three years. There has been no lead or copper problems in past
years that constitute above average levels of either metal. In 2007 tests for lead and copper were not
required.
The water system is required to test for
Halocetic Acids and Trihalomethanes. These compounds in the water are as a
result from the chlorinated water we receive from Springfield, MA. We currently
are required to test for levels of these compounds every three months in 2007
and 2008. Our running annual average for halocetic acids was undetectable and
therfore is well below the DEP violation reporting limit of 60 ug/l. Our
running annual average for trihalomethanes is in the range of 2.8 ug/l and is
below the DEP violation reporting limit of 80 ug/l.
Health Information:
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 human activity. Substances that may be present in water
sources include microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, inorganic
contaminants such as salts and metals, pesticides and herbicides, organic
chemical contaminants, and radioactive contaminants.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may
reasonably be expected to contain at least a small amount of contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not
necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. However, some people may be more vulnerable
to contaminants in drinking water than others in 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).
Appendix A - Level of Detected Contaminants
Definitions:
Before you can interpret the water test
results, you need to understand the following definitions and acronyms.
MCLG
(Maximum Contamination Level Goal) is the level of a contaminant in drinking
water below which there is no known or
expected health risk.
MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) is the
highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in safe drinking water.
AL (Action Level) is the concentration of a
contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers treatment or other water system requirements.
PPM (Parts Per Million) measured in
milliliters / liter (ml/l) -- (1 drop in 10 gallons)
PPB
(Parts Per Billion) measured in microliters / liter (ml/l)
-- (1 drop in 10,000 gallons)
|
TOWN WELL WATER 2005 TEST RESULTS |
|||||||
|
Contaminant (units) |
MCLG |
MCL |
Maximum
amount detected |
Possible
sources of Contaminants |
Violation
(Yes/No) |
Number
of Sites Sampled |
Number
of Sites found above Action Level |
|
1,2-Dichloro-propane (ppb) |
zero |
5.0 |
None |
Soil
fumigant for nematodes (Farming or lawn Care) |
No |
1 |
0 |
|
Barium (ppb) |
2000 |
2000 |
180 |
Erosion
of natural deposits |
No |
1 |
0 |
|
Sodium (ppm) |
Not
regulated |
Not
regulated |
None |
Erosion
of natural deposits |
No |
1 |
0 |
|
Sulfate (ppm) |
Not
regulated |
Not
regulated |
13.0 |
Erosion
of natural deposits |
No |
1 |
0 |
|
Nitrate (ppm) |
10 |
10 |
3.7 |
Runoff
from fertilizer use, Leaching from Septic Tanks or Erosion of natural
deposits. |
No |
1 |
0 |
|
DELIVERED WATER LEAD & COPPER 2005
TEST RESULTS |
|||||||
|
Contaminant
(Units) |
Action
Level PPG/MGL |
MGL
Average
|
90th
Percentile Level |
Possible
source of Contamination |
Violation
(Yes/No) |
Number
of Sites Sampled |
Number
of Sites found above Action Level |
|
Lead
(ppb) |
15
|
.002 |
5.0
ppb in 2005 Not
tested in 2006 |
Corrosion
of household plumbing |
No |
18 |
0 |
|
Copper
(ppm) |
1.3
|
.039 |
.76
ppm in 2005 Not
tested in 2006 |
Corrosion
of household plumbing |
No |
18 |
0 |
Appendix
B – Health Effects
Biological Contaminants:
(1) Total Coliform:
Coliforms are
bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an
indicator that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present. People with
severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased
risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health
care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by
microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1-800-426-4791.
During the months
of October 2007 and December 2007 two routine coliform tests were found to
contain coliform bacteria at 535 College Highway. This detection was classified
by DEP as a violation. This violation was resolved and no further coliform
bacteria detections were found in the system in 2007.
During the month of
September 2006 there was a series of total coliform detections located at four
College Highway water testing locations. This detection was classified by DEP
as a Tier 2 violation. This detection did not indicate a contamination of the
water system.
The violation was
resolved and no further coliform bacteria detections were found in the water
system in 2006.
During the month of
November 2005 two routine coliform test locations were found to contain
coliform bacteria at 11 Depot Street and on Powder Mill Rd. Immediate retesting
of these locations was completed within twenty four hours and found to be
negative for total coliform. The original presence of coliform bacteria was
attributed to mishandling of the samples either at the laboratory or by our
water department employees. The circumstances of the mishandling of the sample
did not indicate that our system was contaminated.
Because of the
total coliform bacteria violations in the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 the Town
has entered into an administrative consent order with DEP. The details of this
consent order may be reviewed at the office of the Department of Public
Works.
(2) Fecal Coliform/E.Coli:
Fecal Coliform and
E. Coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be
contaminated with human or animal wastes.
Germs in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches and
fatigue. No fecal Coliform or E. Coli
bacteria were found in any of the monthly samples taken at numerous sites
within the system.
Organic Chemicals Found
(1) 1,2 Dichloropropane:
Some people who
drink water containing 1,2 Dichloropropane in excess of the MCL over many years
may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
This organic chemical has been found in our water at slightly below 1/9
(<11%)of the MCL. This is monitored
quarterly to determine if there is any increase. The Water Division is also working with the
people who may have used this chemical in the past in order to determine if we
can isolate the original source. There
is no present danger, but we want to avoid any potential problems. Constant monitoring has indicated a steady
decrease in this chemical.
Inorganic Chemicals Found (2005)
(1) Barium:
Some people, who
drink water that contains barium in excess of the MCL over many years, could
experience an increase in their blood pressure.
We have discovered that our water contains barium at 180 PPB, which is
far below the MCL of 2000 PPB. This
small amount, which comes from natural deposits, should not be of any concern.
(2) Sodium (2005)
All groundwater contains a small amount
of sodium, which comes from the erosion of natural deposits. Persons on a sodium-restricted diet may want
to consult their health care provider even though this is a very small amount
(8.57 PPM).
(3) Sulfate (2005)
This compound comes
from erosion of natural deposits and is not regulated by USEPA or the MADEP.
There should be no concern.
(4) Nitrate (2005)
Nitrates occur in
drinking water from erosion of natural deposits, runoff from fertilizer use or
leaching from septic systems. At 3.70
PPM, the amount of this compound in our water is well below the MCL of 10 PPM
and decreasing with time. The current
sanitary sewer installation project should further help to reduce this number.
(5)Berylium (2005)
Berylium is an
inorganic compound that occurs naturally and enters the water system as a
result of natural or human activities. It was not required to be tested in 2006
or 2007 however it was found to be 10 parts per billion (ppb) in 2005. The EPA
has determined that beryllium is a natural carcinogen.
(6)Turbidity(2007)
Turbidity is caused
by particles suspended in water. USEPA regulations direct that turbidity of
water must be equal or less than 0.5 nephelometric turbidity units (ntu).
Elevated measures of turbidity may allow suspended particles to shelter
microorganisms. Southwicks’ turbidity level has been most recently measured in
April of 2007 at 0.2 ntu
Note:
One of the
potential causes for chemicals in groundwater comes from the use of fertilizers
and pesticides on lawns and gardens. NEVER
use more than the manufacturers recommended amounts of either. MORE THAN RECOMMENDED DOES NOT DO A BETTER
JOB!
The Southwick Water Division tests our
water for Coliform bacteria in several places each month, 56 volatile organic
compounds, 46 synthetic organic compounds and 14 inorganic compounds. The
volatile organic compounds are tested annually, the synthetic organic compounds
are tested twice every three years, and the inorganic compounds are tested once
every three years.
The water is also
tested for hardness and pH to determine if any treatment is necessary. The measured pH (how acidic or basic) of 7.5,
shows that our water is non-aggressive.
The aggressiveness of water determines the potential for the presence of
lead or copper since acidic (pH of less than 6.7) water leads to the dissolving
of lead and copper from our plumbing systems.
Our lead and copper testing also indicates that this pH 7.5 has not been
attacking the pipes in our system or in your homes since the readings are at a
very low level. Our test for hardness
shows that our water is typical of well water.
It has a hardness level higher than the typically soft water from a
surface water source.
Water Commissioners
Mettings
The
Southwick Water Commissioners meet on alternating Thursday evenings during the
year. The meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of each month.
During the months of July and August the commissioners are in their Summer
schedule and meet only on the first Thursday of each month.
The
meetings are held at 454 College Highway Southwick, Ma in the upper level
conference room. The meetings are public and open for participation by all Town
residents. Meeting notices are posted at town Hall 48 hours prior to each
meeting.
More information
can be obtained from the following sources:
1.) Visit the Web Site for the
American Water Works Assn. @ www.awwa.org
2.) Visit the Web Site for the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency @ www.epa.gov/OW/
3.) Visit the Web Site for the MA.
DEP @ www.state.ma.us/dep/
4.)
Call the Water Division between 8:30 AM & 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday Phone: (413) 569-6772
Fax: (413) 569-5001