Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
2003 Report on your Drinking Water - a message from your local water department
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
Department of Public Works, Water & SewerPublic Water Supply # 3155000
This Drinking Water Report is intended to provide information to Lexington residents about their water supply. Our Town works in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to deliver quality drinking water to each customer for consumption, fire protection and other uses. Helping residents learn more about water quality and the effort that goes into maintaining the water system is part of this partnership. By providing this information, we also hope to encourage conservation and protection of this precious resource.
Our water comes from the Quabbin Reservoir in Western Massachusetts, through the Wachusett Reservoir and is transported in tunnels and pipes to four metered locations that supply the Town. There are 158 miles of water distribution pipes in Lexington that on average deliver approximately 5 million gallons per day (MGD) to our customers. Demand for water fluctuates seasonally, with higher volumes of water being used during the summer months and lower volumes during the winter months. Lexington also has an irrigation meter policy where a second meter can be installed for lawn watering or other types of irrigation uses.
We are constantly making improvements to our water system infrastructure and the level of services offered to our customers. Our efforts include the following:
• A total of 2,369 meters for separate outdoor watering for residential and commercial users have been installed
since 1995, including 199 that were installed in FY2003
• A bi-annual water system leak detection program to reduce unaccounted-for-water
• Weekly water sampling to ensure high water quality
• Annual fire hydrant maintenance program that includes water main and hydrant flushing.
In addition to the above programs, the employees of the Water and Sewer Division give considerable effort to providing a high level of service to our customers. On a daily basis we respond to customer inquiries about billing, service locations, water pressure or flow issues, meter installations and water quality, to name a few. Emergency response by the Division is rapid to minimize service interruptions, for example, from water leaks or low-pressure problems. The Division also displays water conservation materials during Discovery Day and again during Water Conservation Week. Pamphlets relating to water conservation are available at the Tax Collector's Office in Town Hall and the Public Works Operations Facility at 201 Bedford Street.
If you have any questions please contact the Water and Sewer Division. Thank you.
Dennis Meehan, Water and Sewer Superintendent
201 Bedford Street, Lexington, MA 02420
Tel: (781) 861-2757 Fax: (781) 861-2783Derek Fullerton, Health Director
1625 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420
Tel: (781) 862-0500 ext: 235 Fax: (781) 861-2780
