Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
2003 Report on your Drinking Water - a message from your local water department
CITY OF QUINCY
Public Works DepartmentPublic Water Supply # 3243000
Dear Water Customer:
The consumer confidence report provides important information pertaining to the quality of water supplied by the City of Quincy in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). This annual report provides detailed information on the MWRA’s source water reservoirs, and the quality of water as determined by federal and state monitoring regulations. Water quality test data, as well as definitions of the terms used within the drinking water industry are presented in clear and plain language. The water quality testing information is also presented as it relates to the health effects of contaminants that are tested for. The MWRA is the only source of water distributed within the City of Quincy.
The 228 miles of distribution main within the City of Quincy provides water to 23,000 service connections. The average daily water consumption within the city is 9.8 million gallons per day. Under the Water System Capital Improvement Program approved by the Quincy City Council in 1998, extensive water main replacement was completed in both Squantum and South Quincy. This year the Hospital Hill area will undergo water system improvements.
In November of 2003, the City of Quincy violated the drinking water standard for the Total Coliform Rule (TCR). This violation resulted in a Notice of Non Compliance (NON) being issued to the City by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Although this incident was not an emergency, we want you to know what happened and what we did to correct the situation.
Total coliform bacteria are not generally harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present. Samples are routinely taken at 24 sites in Quincy. On November 4&5, 2003 the routine samples taken at 13 sites were positive for total coliform. All 24 sites were re-sampled the next day for total coliform and E.coli, with additional re-sampling upstream and downstream for the 13 sites with previous positive total coliform results. All re-samples were negative for E.coli, with one sample positive for total coliform. Repeat samples were again taken the next day at all 24 locations with no positive results.
The City of Quincy has made arrangements with a testing laboratory for any household that may have concerns with lead and copper levels in their residence. For $15.00, you can pick up a testing kit and detailed instructions in the Water Billing Office at 55 Sea Street.
If you have any questions regarding testing you can call 617-376-1910, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you have a water, sewer, or drain emergency, call 617-376-1910, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Best regards,
Jay J. Fink, P.E.
Commissioner
