Easton Utilities

Where does Easton's water originate? Easton Utilities extracts water from carefully filtered underground aquifers through five wells ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 feet deep. The water undergoes necessary treatment before entering the distribution system. Your tap water is a blend from all these wells, rather than coming from a single source.

Three wells reach 1,000 feet into the Magothy Aquifer, while two additional wells extend 1,200 feet into the Upper Patapsco Aquifer. The primary advantage of groundwater sources is minimal treatment requirements. The water passes through vast sand deposits that naturally filter it more effectively than conventional treatment facilities.

When pumped from the ground, this naturally filtered water already meets most quality standards with minimal additional treatment. We add small amounts of chlorine to maintain quality as it travels through pipes to homes and businesses. During filtration through sand, some minerals dissolve into the water. Most are harmless, though wells #11 and #12 contain elevated natural iron levels.

Our Water Quality Table lists every regulated contaminant detected, even in trace amounts. It includes substance names, maximum allowable levels (MCL), public health goals (MCLG), detection amounts, and typical contamination sources.

Easton's water ranks among the cleanest available, though all drinking water—including bottled water—typically contains small amounts of some contaminants. When levels remain below EPA standards, they generally don't pose significant health risks, although immunocompromised children may have special needs.

Water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and radioactive materials and can pick up substances from animal or human activities. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage plants, septic systems, livestock and wildlife
• Inorganic compounds from natural sources, urban runoff, or industrial discharges
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes and petroleum production
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or from mining activities

Immunocompromised individuals—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, some elderly, and infants—may face greater risks from water contaminants. If you're immunocompromised, consult your healthcare provider about drinking water safety.

The concentrations in our report are extremely small. One part per million (ppm) equals 1 inch in 16 miles, 1 minute in 2 years, or 1 cent in $10,000. One part per billion equals one drop in 10,000 gallons of water.

Easton Utilities conducts extensive testing—analyzing 125 different contaminants at each water source, checking for coliform bacteria at 15 locations monthly, and monitoring disinfectant residuals at 20 locations weekly.

Regarding lead concerns: elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While Easton Utilities provides high-quality water, we cannot control plumbing component materials. After water sits for several hours, you can reduce potential lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water.

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