Dennis Water District

Dear Residents: We're pleased to share our latest municipal water quality summary from the past year. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires utilities to provide an annual "Consumer Confidence Report" along with other legally mandated notices. This report outlines our water sources, contents, and how our testing and treatment processes address potential risks.

The Dennis Water District is committed to providing you with the safest and most reliable water possible. Informed citizens are our greatest allies in maintaining safe water. Our supply meets all state and federal water quality standards.

We encourage public participation in decisions affecting our water. The Board of Water Commissioners meets monthly on the last Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the Martin Training Room at Dennis Police Department, 96 Frank Crowell Rd., South Dennis. Meeting schedules may change, so please call to confirm (508-398-3351). The public is welcome to attend. Meetings are broadcast live and replayed on Channel 18. You can also share comments by letter or email. Visit our website at www.denniswater.org.

Water Resources
In 2017, we supplied Dennis homes with 1,023,000,000 gallons of groundwater pumped from 22 wells located north of Route 6. These wells are situated on more than 1067 acres of watershed property owned or protected by the District. Emergency backup supplies are available from neighboring towns through mutual aid agreements. We maintain three interconnections with Yarmouth, three with Harwich, and one with Brewster.

Source Water Assessment
The Massachusetts DEP completed this assessment to delineate our public water supply boundaries and identify potential contamination sources. No areas of concern were discovered. The assessment found that the District has effectively protected resources by acquiring or permanently restricting 1067 watershed acres, working with the Board of Health to update our Wellhead Protection District, and sponsoring annual Hazardous Waste Collection Days. The report recommends continuing customer education through newsletters and working with local businesses on proper hazardous material handling.

Lead & Copper Testing
Lead and copper samples are collected on a three-year cycle, most recently in 2017. The District collected 23 samples from homes and 6 from schools. A complete results list is available upon request or at our office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

EPA-required statement: "If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in municipal water primarily comes from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. While Dennis Water District provides high-quality water, we cannot control the materials used in plumbing components. When water sits unused for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead."

Coliform Testing
The Total Coliform Rule requires regular monthly bacterial testing based on population served. Coliforms are naturally occurring bacteria that aren't harmful themselves but can indicate the potential presence of other harmful bacteria.

Emergency Response Planning
The District maintains an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) compliant with Massachusetts Department of Environmental regulations. This serves as our guide during emergencies. Staff receive training to quickly identify and respond to emergencies, earning continuing education credits for their state drinking water operator licenses.

We partner with the Town of Dennis to provide "Reverse 9-1-1" emergency calling service, allowing us to notify residents about emergencies like boil water orders or major main breaks. Information about CodeRED is available on our website or by calling 508-398-3351.

Our ERP aims to protect public health by enabling immediate response to events that could contaminate water or disrupt service.

Corrosion Control
Many New England water sources are naturally acidic (pH below 7.0), which can corrode metal pipes, potentially releasing lead and copper. To prevent this, we add potassium hydroxide to adjust water to a non-corrosive pH level, as verified by system-wide testing.

1. How often is my municipal water tested?
   Dennis Water District tests water regularly according to EPA schedules. Some tests occur daily, others weekly, monthly, or annually depending on the specific contaminant.
2. What causes water hardness in Dennis?
   The groundwater in our region naturally contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that cause hardness, potentially affecting appliance efficiency and leaving mineral deposits.
3. Are there health concerns with Dennis water?
   While our water meets safety standards, certain contaminants have been detected. Residents with specific health conditions or compromised immune systems should consult health professionals about additional filtration needs.
4. How can I reduce contaminant exposure?
   Consider home filtration systems certified for your specific concerns, flush taps after periods of non-use, and follow any advisories issued by the Dennis Water District.