Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
2003 Report on your Drinking Water - a message from your local water department
CITY OF MEDFORD
Department of Engineering, Planning and WaterworksPublic Water Supply # 3176000
This 2003 Drinking Water Report provides information to residents of Medford on their water supply. The City of Medford works in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to communicate where your water comes from, how it is treated and tested, and how we get it to your tap. We know that consumers today have a deep interest in the quality and cost of water. Our hope is that this and other publications you receive help you better understand your water system. In this report we discuss improvements to the physical system itself as well as inform you about the quality of your drinking water.
Medford’s Department of Public Works maintains the water distribution system that consists of a network of pipes, valves, hydrants, and service lines. This system takes water from the MWRA system and delivers water to homes, businesses, and other facilities for drinking and commercial uses. The system is also used for fire protection. The City is constantly improving the system, replacing water mains when necessary. Also, on a daily basis our water crews are constantly on the look out for water systems leaks, checking and verifying pressures, flushing pipelines to keep the water as clean as possible and replacing faulty meters.
Lead Results for Medford
Each year, MWRA and local water departments test tap water in homes that are likely to have high lead levels - usually homes with lead service lines or lead solder. The EPA rule requires that 9 out of 10, or 90%, of these sampled homes must have lead levels below the Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).While lead results have decrease over the past ten years, this year’s results were over the Action Level. For more information on lead and tap water and practical steps you can take to reduce exposure to lead in tap water, please see page 5 of the main report.
The Medford Water Department hopes you find this report informative and useful. If you have any questions regarding this report or any other water related questions, you can call the Medford Department of Public Works at 781-393-2475.
