East Longmeadow DPW Water Department

In 2017, East Longmeadow's Department of Public Works delivered approximately 654 million gallons of water to local residents. The Town purchases water from the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, which sources from surface water reservoirs in Blandford and Granville, MA. Their primary sources include the Cobble Mountain Reservoir (ID# 1281000-02S) and Borden Stream Reservoir (ID# 1281000-04S), with a combined capacity of 25 billion gallons.

Approximately 47% of the watershed land feeding these reservoirs is owned by the Commission for water protection, with another 10% protected by public and nonprofit conservation organizations. The Commission actively acquires land as part of its Source Water Protection Plan, recognizing that land conservation is the most effective way to protect water supplies from contamination.

Within the watershed boundaries, there is minimal development - no industrial presence, low population density, and only limited agricultural activity. To further safeguard the water supply, activities like boating, swimming, hunting, and fishing are prohibited around reservoir areas and watershed lands.

The water treatment process begins when reservoir water flows to the West Parish Filters Treatment Plant in Westfield, MA. There, it passes through slow and rapid sand filtration to remove impurities. The pH is adjusted and corrosion inhibitors are added to prevent lead and copper leaching from residential plumbing. Chlorine is then introduced for disinfection before the water flows to the 42-million-gallon underground storage at Provin Mountain Reservoir in Agawam.

Clean water is distributed at an average rate of 37 million gallons daily to Springfield and surrounding communities including Agawam, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Wilbraham, West Springfield, and part of Chicopee through a 595-mile network of transmission and distribution pipes.

East Longmeadow maintains several connections to the Commission's system at Elm Street, Harkness Avenue, North Main Street, and Dwight Road, with the Department responsible for maintaining over 116 miles of water mains. The town's southwest quadrant receives water directly through these connections, while the southern and eastern areas are served by a high-service system. Water from Springfield is pumped at the Proverb Street Pump Station into this high-service system, which either flows to storage tanks on Prospect Street or directly to homes and businesses.

Because water may be stored in tanks or pipes for variable periods, the East Longmeadow DPW adds chlorine and ammonia at the Proverb Street Pump Station. This chloramination process ensures minimal bacterial presence in the system.

All drinking water sources (both tap and bottled) can contain various contaminants as water travels over land or through ground. These may include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining activities

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled varieties, reasonably contains at least small amounts of some contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Lead exposure through drinking water primarily comes from service lines and home plumbing materials. When water sits in pipes for several hours, you can reduce potential lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.

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, the elderly, and infants - should seek medical advice about their drinking water consumption.

Backflow prevention is also important for maintaining water quality. Cross-connections between water pipes and contaminated sources can occur in homes - for example, when a garden hose connected to fertilizer spray equipment creates a pathway for contaminants to enter water pipes if pressure drops. The East Longmeadow DPW recommends installing backflow prevention devices on all interior and exterior hose connections to protect your home's water supply.

For additional information about cross connections or any questions about your water system (PWS ID# 1085000), please contact the Department of Public Works at 413-525-5400.

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