Lawrence Water Works

Understanding Your Lawrence Sewer System

Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) occur when untreated wastewater is released from the sewer system before reaching the treatment facility. These incidents typically result from pipe collapses, grease accumulation, or debris blockages. You may notice SSOs as water discharging from manholes, catch basins, or basements, often accompanied by sewage odors.

SSOs present significant environmental and public health concerns that require immediate reporting to proper authorities for remediation and decontamination. If you observe a potential SSO, please contact the City's Water & Sewer Department promptly at (978) 620-3580 or (978) 620-3321.

Lawrence's Water Infrastructure

The City of Lawrence maintains a comprehensive network of sewer pipes that transport wastewater to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District treatment facility. When you use household water fixtures, the wastewater exits through a "service lateral" pipe connecting to the main sewer system. Property owners are responsible for maintaining these service laterals, while the City's Water & Sewer Department manages the main sewer infrastructure through regular cleaning and inspection.

Your Water Source

Lawrence began providing municipal water in 1874. In 2007, a modern water treatment facility replaced the City's 70-year-old plant. Water from the Merrimack River (Supply ID#3149000-01S) undergoes conventional treatment before distribution. During emergencies or high-demand periods, Lawrence can access water through interconnections with Andover (Merrimack River and Haggets Pond), Methuen (Merrimack River), and North Andover (Lake Cochichewick).

Understanding Water Contaminants

All water sources—both tap and bottled—contain trace amounts of natural substances. As water cycles through the environment, it dissolves minerals, gases, and occasionally radioactive materials from rocks. It may also collect substances from animal or human activities.

Complete contaminant removal would be prohibitively expensive and potentially harmful—water without certain minerals tastes unpleasant and lacks essential nutrients. The presence of trace substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Water Conservation Tips

• Test toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank—if color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes, you have a leak
• Fix dripping faucets promptly—one drop per second wastes over 3,000 gallons annually
• Turn off taps while brushing teeth to save approximately 8 gallons daily
• Run only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, or use appropriate settings for smaller loads
• Water lawns during early morning hours to minimize evaporation
• Use brooms rather than hoses to clean driveways and walkways

Lead in Drinking Water

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health complications, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily enters drinking water through service line materials and household plumbing components. Lawrence Water & Sewer Department provides high-quality water but cannot control plumbing material choices. To reduce potential lead exposure after water has remained stagnant for several hours, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.

Special Health Considerations

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, the elderly, and infants—should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding drinking water safety. Guidelines for reducing infection risks from cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

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