2006 WATER Quality Report
Dighton Water District
PWS ID # 4076000
2002
CCR Report 2003 CCR Report
2003 CCR Report Results
Your Drinking
Water Sources
Dighton
Water District 1.5MG/Day Treatment plant
There have been a lot of changes in the Dighton Water
District over the last year. One of the biggest was the new water treatment plant
has started up and is in full operation. The treatment plant was designed to remove
the high amounts of iron, manganese, and organic color which is found in most of
the groundwater throughout the southeast region of the state. The plant treats raw
water from the wells 365 days a year. Customers of the District have already noticed
a significant change in the clarity of the water since the treatment plant was placed
on line in October 2006. Since the plant has been in operation we have noticed a
drastic change in water quality results in samples collected routinely throughout
the system. We have noticed the drinking water PH is more uniform throughout the
system along with Trihalomethanes (THM’s) and Haloacetic acids (Haa’s) sample results
which have dropped below the MCL for these disinfection byproducts.
All District customers are welcome to a tour when
you stop by the plant to pay your water bills.
Contact the
Superintendent @ 508-822-5461 if you have any questions or comments about this report.
Nondiscrimination
Clause: In accordance with Federal law
and U.S.Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination
on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination,
write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
The Board
of Commissioners would like to remind you to send back any & all Census that
you receive.
“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. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained
by calling the EPA’S Safe Drinking Water Hotline @ (1-800-426-4791).”
Sources of drinking water (both tap water & 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. It can pick up substances resulting from the
presence of animals or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source
water include:
Microbial
contaminants -such as viruses and
bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock
operations, and wildlife.
Inorganic
contaminants
-such as salts and metals, which can be
naturally-occurring or result from urban storm-water runoff, industrial, or domestic
wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming.
Pesticides
and herbicides
-may come from a variety of sources such as agricultural, urban storm-water runoff,
and residential uses.
Organic
chemical contaminants -include synthetic
and volatile organic chemicals that are by-products of industrial processes and
petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm-water runoff,
and septic systems.
Radioactive
contaminants - can be naturally occurring
or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities.
Asbestos- Water systems that contain (AC) pipe are vulnerable
to asbestos contamination due to the presence of asbestos-cement pipe. Systems must
sample for this contaminant dependent on the size of the system population, &
the number of miles of (AC) pipe within the system.
Immune
- compromised persons: 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 some infants can be particularly at risk from
infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health
care providers. Guidelines are available from the EPA/Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) on lowering the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other
microbial contaminants by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline:@ 1-800-426-4791.
Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) – the highest level of a contaminant
that is allowed in drinking water.
Maximum Contaminant
Level Goal (MCLG) – the level of a contaminant
in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.
Treatment
Technique (TT) – A required process intended
to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Action Level
(
90th
percentile - used for calibrating the
allowable limit set forth by the US.EPA as a guideline for the Lead and Copper sampling
results.
Variances
and Exemptions – State or EPA permission
not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions.
TABLE
KEY
ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter, (mg/l)
equivalent to one penny
in $10,000 dollars
ppb: parts per billion, or micrograms per liter, (ug/l)
equivalent to one penny
in $10,000,000 dollars
ppt:
parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter
equivalent to one penny
in $10,000,000,000,000 dollars
pCi/l:
picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
Flouride,
Cyanide samples:
test
results for these contaminants were less than detectable limits.
Sampling
Waivers
SOC Samples: Samples
for these contaminants was taken on
IOC Samples: Samples were taken for Inorganic compounds on
The next sampling will be in the 2008-2010 compliance cycle.
VOC Samples:
The Dighton Water District tested
the wells for volatile organic compounds on
Lead: 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 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. One step you can take to decrease your risk of lead in
water is by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. This only needs to be
done after the water has been unused in the pipes for an extended period of time.
There is a list on the back of the water bills which detail several ways to reduce
lead in your drinking water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. (also see lead the exceedance notice in the informational
section of this report.)
TTHM’s: (Total Trihalomethanes) Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
“Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, taste, or
smell. It is found throughout the
Lead: New DEP
regulations were adopted which increased the number of sampling sites in 2004 to
44 including samples taken at two schools within the system. Lead samples were collected
from 36 homes within the District. Samples were also collected from the
Copper: 36 samples were collected & tested for copper within
the distribution system. All 36 samples collected & tested for copper were below
the MCL for copper. Results ranged from .04 up to 1.0 mg/ liter. The 90th
percentile result for copper in the 36 samples collected was .84 mg/ liter. Which
is below the action level of 1.3mg/l for copper.
Asbestos:
The District has approximately
3 – 4 thousand feet of (AC cement asbestos) pipelines. The District is required
to sample for this contaminant because (AC) pipe is connected to the municipal supply.
The portion of the system with AC pipe was tested for asbestos particles on
Sodium: Information
on sodium is provided for the elderly population, and anyone within the District
that has to monitor their daily intake of Sodium. The sodium levels in the finished
water at the Cedar ST wells was 35
mg/l and the finished water from
Iron:
The Iron levels in samples taken
on
Manganese:
Manganese levels in samples collected
from the Cedar ST & Walker ST finished water on
On
Visit the
Dighton Water District Website @ http//www.dightonwaterdistrict.com
Summer
of 2006
The summer of 2006 was a fairly wet one. We started off early with a hot spell in which water production increased during the months of April and May which prompted the District to place a water ban which lasted several weeks. The reason we had to place the water ban was several of the District wells were out of service for cleaning and repairs.
It rained enough throughout the summer so lawn watering was not a major factor on
water consumption. Usually the peak water consumption takes place during the months
of June, July, and August. This is when the weather gets hot and dry which prompts
customers to turn on there sprinklers to keep their lawns green. The summer started
out rather damp but actually the warmer weather lasted well into what should have
been the winter months with temperatures in the 60’s well into November. The highest
water demand in a single day for 2006 was on August 4th which was 1,000,000
gallons. In previous years the District has pumped 1,200,000 gallons of water in
a single day.
Water is a precious resource that must not be taken for granted. Everyone should
practice water conservation not only in the dry season but year round. A “safe clean
potable water supply” should be the number one priority to everyone not only customers
of municipal water supplies. More stringent regulations form EPA and increased water
consumption from customers account for the high cost of treating drinking water
these days.
“CLEAN WATER IS UP TO YOU”
WATER COSTS $10.00 / GALLON
Bottled water can cost anywhere from 50 cents per gallon up to $1.25 for a sixteen
ounce bottle. This in turn could cost you up to $10.00 dollars per gallon. Treated
municipal drinking water if sold at $5.00 dollars per 1000 gallons would cost 5
cents for 10 gallons. Even though $5.00 per thousand gallons of water seems expensive
it really isn’t.
The Town of
WATER
AWARENESS PROGRAMS
Water awareness programs take place at the
My thanks go out to the one behind the scenes, Carol Stevens the Dighton Water
District Clerk, Treasurer. Carol Stevens received an Environmental award for her
excellence in her field and outstanding dedication & involvement working with
the Dighton Schools at the May 5th 2005 EPA awards ceremony which was
held at the
The Board
of Commissioners: Monthly meetings
are held the second Tuesday of every month. The Dighton Water District has its annual
meeting on the fourth Thursday in May.
AUTOMATIC
LAWN SPRINKLERS
THE INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS TO THE MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY “IS PROHIBITED”. This includes existing homes, new construction, and subdivisions. Lots should be sized accordingly to accommodate a well if the owners elect to install a lawn sprinkler system. No interconnections between a potable drinking water and non-potable water sources are permitted under the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations 310 CMR 22.22 for cross connections.
Lawn irrigations are the biggest consumers of water during the hot weather in the
summer months. In past years daily production from the Dighton Water District wells
has increased from 400,000 gallons per day up to 1,200,000 gallons per day. Sprinklers
place a great burden on the wells during the summer. The wells have to be throttled
back during these periods in order to sustain adequate water levels in the well
casings . Over pumping the well reduces the efficiency of the well and increases
the chance of contamination by causing the well to draw water from a larger radius
than it would normally. In order
to keep on top of the cross connection program a permitting process will begin.
Homes with private wells and municipal water will be surveyed to be sure there are
no interconnections between the 2 systems. Residents must be aware that a safe clean
water potable water supply is a precious resource that must be protected for future
generations.
SPRINKLER
BANS
We need every customer to abide by any watering bans
imposed on the system to ensure a safe potable drinking water. Do your part and
abide by any restrictions while they are in effect.
Some outside
Watering tips
New England
has a high precipitation rate, so turf
grasses here don’t have to be watered to survive. Lawns may turn brown and dormant,
but will green up rapidly when moisture in the soil is replaced.
Conserve
resources by not watering the grass unless it really needs it.
Let Mother Nature water your lawn! It not only saves the water supply but saves
you money also.
If you do
water one inch of water is adequate to wet the soils 4-6inches deep.
You can place a can or pan under the sprinkler, when
an inch of water is in the can shut the sprinkler off. This is an easy way to measure
when an inch of water has been applied to your lawn.
Light watering encourages shallow roots, which leads
to disease & stress. Water deep & less frequently to encourage deep root
growth.
The best time to water is early morning; less water is lost through evaporation. A lot of customers
are seen watering lawns during the midday which can actually do more damage by burning
the grass. Avoid watering during midday & try not to water in the evenings.
Leaving your lawn damp during the night can promote fungus and disease growth.
“CLEAN WATER IS UP TO YOU”
We need to
protect the existing and future water resources that are left in Dighton to be sure
there is an adequate supply for all future growth.
Wellhead
Protection areas
The primary protection area around a public water supply (PWS) is known as the Zone1.
The Zone 1 is the 400 ft radius around the well or well field, which is owned or
controlled by the water supplier using conservation restrictions. Towns have adopted
bylaws that are used to place restrictions for land uses in these critical areas
of the town. Dighton has adopted a DEP approved bylaw in May 2000. The area of an
aquifer that contributes water to a well under the most severe pumping and recharge
conditions is known as the Zone II. For public water supply wells that lack an approved
Zone II, DEP applies an interim Wellhead Protection Area (IWPA). This is the area
within a ½ mile radius for sources approved to pump 100,000 gallons/ day or greater.
For smaller sources, the IWPA radius is proportional to the wells approved daily
volume.
Some Do’s
& Don’ts on how you can protect your drinking water?
Household
chemicals
Always use non-toxic and less toxic alternatives to household
cleaners, oil based paints & insecticides.
Don’t buy more hazardous chemicals than you need.
Always follow package directions on pesticides, fertilizers,
and other household chemicals.
Don’t over-use household chemicals. More is not better.
Always follow the directions listed on the product label.
Don’t
use pesticides or herbicides near wells, and
minimize the use of fertilizers around wells.
Always take leftover chemicals to hazardous waste collection
centers.
Don’t dispose of hazardous chemicals by pouring them down
household drains, storm drains, or onto the ground.
Underground
Storage Tanks
Check heating oil tanks for leaks. Remove any deteriorating
tanks. Replace underground tanks with above ground tanks that include a secondary
containment area with a cover. Don’t
have tanks removed by contractors who are not licensed & are familiar with State
guidelines for underground tank removal. Never locate new fuel storage tanks in
the recharge area of a well.
Wellhead
Protection measures have been taken to
reduce the contamination of wells. Updated Title Five Regulations were imposed to
reduce the amounts of Nitrogen from septic systems entering water supplies. Conservation
issues regarding wetland buffers and waterways also reduce contamination by limiting
the uses in these sensitive areas. I strongly encourage each customer to preserve
what we have by developing your own conservation and protection program. Your children
may even be able to give you some pointers that they have learned in school.
Septic
systems
Take care of your septic system. Keep records of
your septic system maintenance. Inspect the tank every year. Have your tank pumped
every 2-3 years. And avoid damage to your leach field and distribution lines by
keeping heavy objects out of the area of the field. Don’t overload your septic with
solids by using a garbage grinder (unless the system was designed for a grinder).
Never pour grease or cooking oils down the drain, it will clog the soil and system.
Don’t pour chemicals, including bleach down the toilet or sinks. Never use septic
cleaners or additives containing acids or chemical solvents such as trichloroethylene
(TCE). For additional information on ways to protect the water supply you can contact
Ma. DEP/DWP @ 617-292-5770.
Security measures
Many changes have taken place since the tragedy on
September 11th 2001. Security measures have been taken by many Public
Water Supplies to protect the valuable drinking water resources that we have taken
for granted for so many years. Additional measures have been taken to ensure the
Dighton Water District wells & tanks are protected.
Contact the Dighton Police @ 508-669-6711 or the Water District @ 508-824-9390 if
you notice any suspicious activities in or around the areas of the wells & water
tanks.
Where does
my water come from?
Your drinking water comes from 5 gravel packed groundwater wells. Groundwater is
the water that flows through spaces in soil particles and through fractures in rock.
Water comes from rain & melting snow that percolates through the ground. Education
material on the hydrologic cycle is available at the Dighton Water District Office.
Why should
I be concerned?
Even though some pollutants (such as bacteria, viruses,
and phosphorus) can be reduced by passing through soil under certain conditions,
groundwater can be easily contaminated by chemicals & oils.
Treatment
Techniques
Clarification
treatment plants: Small particles and
organisms such as sediment, algae and bacteria can cause water to take on unpleasant
odors and tastes, and sometimes make it unhealthy to drink. To remove this material,
it is necessary to chemically treat the water and then pas it through two types
of filtering units- a clarifier and a mixed media filter bed. The process begins
with Polyaluminum Chloride being added to the water at an established rate. This
prompts the small particles to coagulate, or stick together and form particles of
increasing size. The chemically treated water then flows upward through a non buoyant
granular media bed. A portion of the floc is removed in the upper section of the
bed which removes up to 95% of the particles. The media bed consists of three layers
of materials. The cleaner water is then collected in a central trough above the
bed and transferred into the filter section. The filter is a conventional tri-media
design comprised of gravel, garnet and anthracite which trap the remaining particles.
Over time the filters clog and need to be cleaned using a high flow backwash process.
All chemicals used in the water industry are approved
for water treatment by the following organizations: the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) accredits the national Sanitation Foundation (known as NSF International),
and UL Chemicals also have to meet performance standards established by the American
Water Works Association.
Disinfection with Chlorine(with filtration):
All reservoirs and some ground water sources contain numerous microorganisms, some
of which can cause people to become sick. It is necessary to disinfect the water
to eliminate disease carrying organisms. Disinfection does not sterilize the water,
it removes harmful organisms. Sterilization is too costly and kills all microorganisms,
even though most are not harmful. The Dighton Water District uses sodium hypochlorite
(chlorine) as its primary disinfectant. Chlorine destroys organisms by penetrating
cell walls and reacting with enzymes. When combined with proper filtration, disinfection
with chlorine has been proven effective at ensuring that water is free of harmful
organisms and safe to drink.
Visit the
website for updates & information regarding your water @ http//www.dightonwaterdistrict.com
DRINKING WATER NOTICE:
Dighton Water District Water may contain high Levels of Lead
Our water recently violated a drinking water standard.
Even though this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know
what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
We routinely sample water at consumer’s taps for
lead. The tests show lead in some of the sites were above the limit, or “action
level”, so we were required to install corrosion control treatment. This treatment
helps prevent lead in the pipes from dissolving into the water. Corrosion control
was installed and running May of 2000.
What should
I do?
Listed below are some steps you can take to reduce
your exposure to lead.
• Call
us at the number below to find out how to get your water tested for lead.
• Find
out whether your pipes contain lead or lead solder.
• Run
your water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold before using it for drinking
or cooking. This flushes any
standing lead from the pipes.
• Don’t
cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily in hot
water.
• Do not boil your water to remove lead.
Excessive boiling water makes the lead more concentrated – the lead remains
when the water evaporates.
What does
this mean?
Typically, lead enters water supplies by leaching
from lead or brass pipes and plumbing components. New lead pipes and plumbing components
containing lead are no longer allowed for this reason; however, many older homes
may contain lead pipes. Your water is more likely to contain high lead levels if
water pipes in or leading to your home are made of lead or contain lead solder.
Infants and
children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience
delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits
in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many
years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
What happened?
What is being done?
The Water Districts new treatment plant has been
under construction for the last 18 months. In order to obtain chemical dosing data
and during the conditioning of the new filters two of the wells with the best water
quality were diverted through the treatment plant. Even though the Corrosion control
facilities were in full operation it was hard to maintain a ph of at least 7.5 which
had proven in the past to eliminate the corrosion problem that causes the lead to
leach into your water from your plumbing system. The treatment plant was designed
to remove the iron, manganese, and organics from the water in the wells. Customers
should notice a drastic improvement in the water quality. The ph in the finished
water is more consistent throughout the system than it was when the lead & copper
samples were collected in the summer, now that the treatment plant is in operation.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would
have been notified immediately. The new treatment plant has been in operation since
mid October 2006. Samples for lead and copper were collected prior to pumping water
through the treatment plant into the distribution system. For more information,
please contact the Superintendent Charles Cestodio jr. at 508-822-5461 or mail your
questions to the Dighton Water District attn; Superintendent 192 Williams Street,
North Dighton, Ma. 02764.
Please share
this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who have
not received this notice directly ( for example, people in apartments, nursing homes,
schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place
or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice
is being sent to you by the Dighton Water District
PWS ID#: 4076000
Date: 1/2/2007