Massachusetts Water Resources Authority 2003 Report on your Drinking Water - a message from your local water department

CITY OF CHELSEA Department of Public Works Public Water Supply # 3057000

June 2, 2004 The Chelsea Department of Public Works is continuing with our plan to issue an annual newsletter to keep you informed about your water system. As in the past, this is a component of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Annual Water Quality Report to Consumers. We would like to provide a recap of the major points for any new customers or residents who may not have seen last year’s newsletter. Go back to the MWRA 2003 Report Our Distribution System The city of Chelsea purchases all of its water directly from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The water is delivered through five MWRA master meters into the city’s distribution system. The distribution system consists of the network of pipes, valves, hydrants and service lines. The system delivers water to homes, businesses and other facilities for drinking and other uses. The system is also used for fire protection. Chelsea’s distribution system is comprised of approximately sixty miles of water mains ranging from six-inch to twenty-inch diameter. There are five hundred and thirty-nine hydrants that are owned and maintained by the city. There are approximately one thousand gate valves that allow isolated portions of the system to be shut down for repairs and maintenance. Seventy percent of the pipe in the system is over fifty years old with approximately forty percent being original six-inch diameter unlined cast iron pipe. Unlined pipe allows tuberculation (rust) to grow on the inside surfaces of the pipe. While not a health problem, this tuberculation can affect the ability of the pipe to carry flows for fire fighting purposes and can affect the appearance of the water, such as yellow and red water problems. Capital Improvement Plan We are currently in the ninth year of a fifteen-year Capital Improvement Plan. The City of Chelsea is committed to making improvements to the distribution system. During the past year work has been ongoing in the following areas: Chestnut Street, from Washington Avenue to Third Street and Gardner Street from Cary Square to Parker Street. This year, water main replacement is scheduled for portions of Spencer Avenue, Webster Avenue and Vale Street. Our Engineers have other areas under design that will be constructed in future years. This expenditure of resources represents a substantial commitment from the City Council, the City Manager and the Department of Public Works to continue to improve the quality of your drinking water and to provide improved flows to aid the Fire Department in their mission. If you have any questions of comments about your water, please call us at the following numbers: Important Telephone Numbers Water Bills (617) 889-8310 Water Meters (617) 889-8291 Water Operations (617) 889-8321 MWRA (617) 242-5323 Joseph C. Foti Director of Public Works