Chelmsford Water District

We are pleased to present our annual water quality report covering January 1 through December 31, 2017. Our commitment to delivering premium quality municipal water remains unwavering. We continuously monitor regulatory compliance, source water protection, conservation efforts, and community education while meeting the needs of all water users.

We welcome your thoughts on the information in this report. For questions about your water supply, please contact us at (978) 256-2381 or visit www.chelmsfordwater.com.

Important Health Information
Certain populations may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general public. Those with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants—may face higher infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption. U.S. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and microbial contaminant risks are available via the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or http://water.epa.gov/drink/hotline.

Potential Water Contaminants
To ensure safety, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set regulatory limits on contaminants in public water systems. The FDA and Massachusetts Department of Public Health establish similar standards for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled varieties, may contain trace amounts of certain substances, which doesn't necessarily indicate health risks.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals, sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity. Source water may contain:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, or wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Water Treatment Process
The Crooked Spring Treatment Plant, operational since spring 2007, processes nine district wells, including four gravel-packed wells from the Meadowbrook #3 pumping station (added November 2007). Water passes through an aeration tower to remove volatile organic compounds, then through greensand filtration to eliminate iron and manganese. The facility recycles backwash water through a lagoon system that recharges the aquifer.

Our eastern district wells are processed through the Riverneck Road Treatment Plant's greensand filtration system to remove iron and manganese. This facility incorporates aeration technology to eliminate volatile organic compounds, with backwash water stored in a 100,000-gallon underground facility for either sewer discharge or recycling.

The Smith Street Treatment Plant, reopened in fall 2012 after being unused since 1999, features upgraded wells and retrofitted treatment systems using aeration and membrane filtration for iron and manganese removal. This plant provides system relief during peak demand periods and emergency backup for both primary treatment facilities.

All Chelmsford Water District supplies undergo state-of-the-art treatment processes to ensure quality and safety.

The CDC provides guidance on safe water consumption practices and potential health impacts from various contaminants. They work alongside the EPA to establish health-based guidelines and offer public education about waterborne diseases and prevention strategies. For Chelmsford residents with specific health concerns about their water supply, the CDC website offers valuable resources about water quality and potential risks.