Billerica Water Works

Welcome to the Billerica Water Division's Annual Water Quality Report. While regulatory requirements mandate this publication, we genuinely appreciate this opportunity to connect with our customers and provide important updates about your water supply.

Since 1999, we've been publishing these reports, and the municipal water industry has evolved significantly during this time. Water conservation, once a novel concept, has become an essential practice for most residents. We're proud of our community's efforts to conserve water and protect this vital resource, though education remains ongoing.

In 2017, we addressed fifty-four water main breaks, exceeding our annual average of 39. Our leak detection program identified 19 leaks throughout the distribution system, including 2 water main leaks, 3 service leaks, and 14 hydrant leaks.

This report contains critical information about your tap water, including thousands of analyses performed annually. The tables show what substances were detected in your water, their sources, and potential health implications. Our team, led by Superintendent Steve McGovern, puts extensive effort into planning, maintaining, and improving our water treatment and distribution systems.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Those with compromised immune systems—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly individuals, and some infants—should consult healthcare providers about their municipal water consumption. Guidelines from EPA/CDC on reducing infection risks are available through the EPA's Safe Municipal Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

How to Read Your Water Meter

Understanding your water meter helps detect leaks, monitor usage, and verify your bill. First, locate your meter (typically in your basement). The meter displays numbers similar to a car odometer—read from left to right. Compare this reading with your water bill, noting that differences may exist due to reading times.

Billerica uses two billing methods: actual readings (when meters are physically checked) and estimated readings (based on past usage). Verify your readings to correct any errors like underestimated usage. All meters measure water in cubic feet (1 cubic foot equals approximately 7.5 gallons), with bills based on units of 100 cubic feet (748.6 gallons). Sewer charges reflect water usage recorded by your meter.

Checking for Leaks

A dripping faucet can waste 75-300 gallons weekly. To test for hidden leaks, read your water meter, wait one hour without using any water, then check again. If the reading changed, you have at least one leak.

For toilets, add food coloring to the tank and wait 10 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, your flapper or flush valve likely needs replacement—an inexpensive fix.

Our Water Source

Billerica uses surface water from the Concord River (source ID #10186). The watershed spans over 400 square miles across 27 communities and includes various potential contamination sources: agricultural (fertilizer/pesticide storage), commercial (airports, service stations, dry cleaners), industrial (electronics manufacturers, hazardous materials storage), residential (fuel storage, septic systems), and transportation corridors.

Our water system works diligently to provide safe municipal water through comprehensive treatment processes. The Billerica Water Works, established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1897, began operations in January 1899, initially drawing from wells near the present Water Treatment Plant.

The first Treatment Plant was built in 1955 with a 3.5 million gallons per day (MGD) capacity, later expanded to 7 MGD (1967), then 14 MGD (1976). In May 2006, operations moved to a new facility on Treble Cove Road using similar processes and capacity.

Over the years, we've implemented process improvements including switching filter media to granular activated carbon (1979), changing disinfection chemicals, adding fluoridation (1992), installing ozone treatment to remove manganese and improve taste (1997), and implementing chloramines as a secondary disinfectant (1999) to reduce trihalomethane levels.

For water billing inquiries (meter inspections, final readings, pressure issues), please call 978-671-0954. For infrastructure concerns (main breaks, discolored water, hydrant issues), contact the Water Treatment Plant at 978-671-0957.

Common Questions About Municipal Water Services:

1. How do I apply for building permits?
2. Where do I register my business?
3. How can I contact city commissioners or the mayor?
4. Where can I find information about recreational activities and parks?
5. How do I pay my utility bill?
6. How do I register to vote?
7. Where can I report a power outage or street light problem?
8. How do I request public records?
9. Where can I view municipal code information?