City of Prescott

Flowing water, including bottled varieties, typically contains at least trace amounts of various contaminants. The mere presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For detailed information about contaminants and potential health effects, please contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and may collect substances from animal presence or human activity. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture and residential usage
• Radioactive components that occur naturally
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems

The Prescott Valley Water Program serves approximately 48,460 residents across 4 distinct water systems, delivering an average of 5.14 million gallons daily. Our groundwater is chlorinated before distribution, maintaining a 0.20-0.77 mg/l chlorine residual to prevent bacterial contamination.

• PV Water (Upper) System: Serves 36,180+ residents with 15,075 connections, pumping 3.85 million gallons daily
• PV Water (Lower) System: Serves 6,278+ residents with 2,616 connections, pumping 642,400 gallons daily
• Mingus West Water System: Established in 1999, serves 259+ residents with 108 connections including the County Fairgrounds, pumping 80,000 gallons daily
• Point of view Water System: Established in 1996, serves 5,743+ residents with 2,393 connections, pumping 565,800 gallons daily

To verify which system serves your area, please call (928) 759-3070 or consult the enclosed water system map. EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems, and we treat our water accordingly. Last year, we conducted over 3,500 tests for more than 65 contaminants, ensuring your water meets all state and federal standards.

Certain populations may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than others. Immuno-compromised individuals, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly persons, and infants should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding water consumption.

1. What is groundwater? Groundwater forms when rain and snow infiltrate the soil, passing between particles of soil, sand, gravel, or rock until reaching a depth where the ground is saturated with water. This saturated zone stores water, and its upper boundary is called the water table. The water table may be near the surface or hundreds of feet deep. Groundwater is stored in materials like gravel, sand, or bedrock, and areas that hold substantial water that can be accessed by wells are called aquifers.
2. How does water reach my home? Water is pumped from wells through large underground mains to treatment facilities. After treatment, it's pumped to storage tanks strategically positioned throughout the city to create water pressure. From these tanks, water flows through underground mains (buried at least 5 feet below surface to prevent freezing) throughout the community. Smaller pipes called service lines connect these mains to individual homes, businesses, and schools, with your faucet being the final destination.
3. Why does Westford restrict outdoor water use from May through October? Water usage increases approximately 50% during warmer months, straining the system's pumping capacity. State regulations also limit how much water the Department can pump daily. Remember that neighboring communities drawing from the same aquifer experience similar usage increases. To ensure adequate supply for everyone and maintain sufficient pressure for fire protection, staged water restrictions are implemented. Without these measures, demand would likely deplete water resources to dangerous levels, forcing a complete ban on outdoor water usage.
4. How are water use restrictions determined? Voluntary odd/even outdoor water restrictions operate from May 1 through October 31, with residents encouraged to limit sprinkler use to before 9 AM and after 6 PM. For mandatory restrictions, the Water Department establishes daily usage triggers based on its Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) withdrawal permit. These triggers allow sufficient water pumping to meet increased demand while preventing permit violations. A lower trigger activates Level 2 Mandatory Restrictions, while a higher trigger initiates Level 3 Emergency Mandatory Restrictions (outdoor water use ban). For details on allowable outdoor water usage during restrictions, contact 978-692-5529 or visit the Water Department Rules and Regulations page.
5. Why is my water discolored? Normally, water should appear clear. However, occasional discoloration may occur for several reasons:
   • Brown or orange water typically indicates iron presence—you may need to drain your hot water heater or flush your pipes. Rusty water commonly appears after major breaks or during hydrant flushing, and should clear up shortly after repairs or flushing concludes. The Department posts hydrant flushing notices in local newspapers and on its website.
   • Milky appearance suggests air in the lines and should dissipate naturally. Test by collecting water in a clear glass and allowing it to sit for a few minutes—it should clear from bottom to top as tiny air bubbles rise to the surface.
   • Black specks might indicate manganese, suggesting a need to flush the service line.
   • Yellow water warrants investigation as it has various potential causes.
   For water quality concerns, contact the Water Department Environmental Compliance office.