Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
2003 Report on your Drinking Water - a message from your local water department
Board of Public Works
Elihu Administrative Building
22 Monument Avenue, Swampscott. MA 01907-1977
781-596-8860 FAX 781-596-8828Public Water Supply # 3291000
Water - Sewer - Parks - Cemetary - Highway - Engineering - Forestry - Wastewater Operations
The Annual Water Quality Report to Consumers is a report on the quality of the drinking water supplied by the Town of Swampscott in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). We are pleased to be working with the MWRA on this joint communication on the quality of the drinking water arriving at your home or business. This annual report provides detailed information on the MWRA’s reservoirs, which are the sole sources of water distributed to the Town of Swampscott, and the quality of water as determined through federal and state testing guidelines. Water quality test data, definitions of the terms used, and other important information are presented in clear and easy to read language.
In addition to steps taken by the MWRA to protect water quality, the Town of Swampscott has continued to make improvements to the water system. Improvements include last year’s leak detection program which lead the Town to discover three substantial breaks in our underground water main infrastructure. This in turn allowed the Water Department to reduce the amount of unaccounted for water it was being charged for. The program also detected several smaller leaks that were repaired before they became a larger problem.
One hundred percent of the Town of Swampscott’s water is supplied by the MWRA through the sixteen inch water main on New Ocean Street. The Town tests the quality of our water by gathering bi-weekly test samples at nine different locations throughout the town. During the calendar year 2003, test results consistently showed no indication of any health hazards. The Town is also responsible for conducting lead and copper samples on a semi-annual basis.
The Town of Swampscott is currently in the process of cleaning and lining over two miles of water main. This past year the water mains from New Ocean Street (at the Lynn line), up Rock Ave, along Burrill Street, and down to 174 Humphrey Street, were cleaned and re-lined. This year the remaining portion of Humphrey Street to Puritan Road, as well as all of Puritan Road, will be cleaned and re-lined. This will improve the water quality by removing the rust which has built up on the inside of the cast iron water pipes. Additionally, several undersized water mains will be replaced. The locations include Blaney Street, Blaney Circle, Monument Ave, Crescent Street, Hillside Ave, Elliot Street, Plymouth Ave, and Barnstable Street. Both of these projects will be accomplished using MWRA zero interest loans.
The Town of Swampscott is committed to providing its residents with the best water possible. As our customers, we hope that you will find this report informative and useful. If you would like to obtain additional information on particular subjects, or have specific questions, please feel free to contact the Department of Public Works at 781-596-8860, or e-mail the Director directly at gcresta@town.swampscott.ma.us. You may also contact the MWRA directly using the phone number listed in this report.
Sincerely,
Gino Cresta Jr.
Director of Public Works
