Norton Water Department

Quality First! We're pleased to present our annual municipal water quality report. Our team remains dedicated to delivering the highest quality water possible to Norton residents. We continuously work to meet regulatory requirements, protect water sources, promote conservation, and engage with community education initiatives while meeting the needs of all water users.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. We value your thoughts on the information contained in this report - well-informed customers are our greatest allies. We're constructing a 2.5-million gallon/day treatment facility expected to be operational by fall 2019, and we conduct system flushing twice yearly to maintain distribution system integrity.

Source Water Assessment and Protection
The SWAP program, established under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, requires Massachusetts to identify land uses within recharge areas of public water supplies, assess contamination vulnerability, and publicize results to support improved protection. Norton's water system received a "high" susceptibility rating based on DEP's assessment. The full SWAP report is available at the Norton Water and Sewer Division or online at www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/water/drinking/swap/sero/swap-sero.pdf.

Important Health Information
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, some elderly persons, and infants) may be particularly susceptible to infections. These individuals should seek medical advice about drinking water. CDC/EPA guidelines on reducing infection risk from microbial contaminants are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Understanding Your Water Footprint
Did you know that producing one half-gallon of orange juice requires 11 gallons of water? Your morning coffee needs 37 gallons to grow, process, package and deliver the beans. A quart of milk requires 264 gallons, and two pounds of beef needs 4,200 gallons of water to produce.

The average American uses over 180 gallons daily - a single toilet flush uses as much water as someone in a developing country uses all day for cooking, washing, cleaning, and drinking. With American households averaging an 8,000 cubic foot annual water footprint (twice the global average), our freshwater demands are rapidly outpacing natural replenishment. Calculate your water footprint at http://goo.gl/QMoIXT.

Water Source Information
Norton's water comes from the Canoe River Aquifer within the Taunton River Basin. This groundwater is the highest quality source available to meet public health demands. We provide approximately 1.18 million gallons daily. Our distribution system includes five gravel-packed wells on Pine, Plain, and Newland Streets, four storage facilities holding 5.85 million gallons (meeting state one-day minimum requirements), and approximately 150 miles of water mains.

The wells lie within our Water Resource Protection Area, established in 1980 and incorporated into the Town's Zoning By-Laws to safeguard our water source.

1. How do I apply for a passport?
   You can apply for a passport at the City Clerk's office. Information is available at the following link: Passport Information
2. Where can I obtain a Special Event Form for an event in the City?
   Special Event Forms are available in the City Clerk's Office or at the following link: Special Events Application
3. Does someone knocking on my door need a permit to sell something?
   Yes, they are required to have a permit. For more information see FAQ Peddlers and Solicitors
4. What do I need to bring to process a passport?
   Documentation needed for passport processing can be found at: /DocumentCenter/View/68 Passport Information
5. What is the cost of a passport?
   Information regarding passport fees can be found at: /DocumentCenter/View/68 Passport Information
6. Does a nonprofit organization need a permit to solicit in the City?
   To solicit for financial benefit, a permit and proof of non-profit status is required. Solicitation Permits are available at the City Clerk's Office or at: Solicitor
7. Are passport photos taken at the Clerk's Office?
   Yes, and the cost is $10
8. How can I obtain a death or birth certificate?
   Applications for death or birth certificates are available at the City Clerk's Office or at: Obtaining a Birth or Death Certificate
9. Where can I get something notarized?
   Notarization can be processed at the City Clerk's Office for $10 per document. We do not notarize Power of Attorney documents, Wills, or documents without notary certificates.
10. What is the phone number for GFL?
    GFL can be contacted at 866-772-8900.
11. When does Yard Waste and Large Brush Pickup begin?
    It begins on April 1st and ends the second Friday in December.