Centerville Osterville Marstons Mills WD

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, naturally contains small amounts of various substances. The presence of these elements doesn't automatically indicate a health risk. For comprehensive information, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Some individuals may have heightened sensitivity to water contaminants compared to the general population. This includes those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders, elderly residents, and infants who face increased infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption habits. Guidelines from EPA/CDC regarding Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Elevated lead levels pose serious health concerns, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from service lines and household plumbing materials. While COMM Water provides quality water, they cannot control plumbing components used in homes. To minimize lead exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for consumption when it has been sitting unused. Consider testing if concerned about lead levels. Information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Regarding manganese: Natural water can contain this mineral, and concentrations above 55 ppb may affect taste and color. The EPA recommends lifelong consumption below 300 ppb and short-term limits under 1000 ppb due to potential neurological effects. Children under 1 year should not consume water exceeding 300 ppb, nor should infant formula be prepared with such water for more than 10 days.

Water sources (tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and may collect substances from animal or human activities. These include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage facilities, septic systems, farms, and wildlife
• Agricultural and urban runoff containing pesticides and herbicides
• Inorganic elements like salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive components occurring naturally or from energy production and mining operations

To ensure tap water safety, DEP and EPA regulations limit certain contaminants in public water. FDA and Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations establish similar safety standards for bottled water.

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