Plymouth

Quality Assurance Statement: We are pleased to present our annual water quality report. As in previous years, we remain dedicated to delivering the highest quality water possible. We continuously focus on meeting new regulatory standards, protecting our water sources, promoting conservation, and engaging with our community through education programs.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you and your family. We value your feedback on the information provided in this report. Well-informed customers are our greatest allies in maintaining water quality.

Water Source Information

Plymouth's municipal water comes from two aquifers and multiple gravel-packed wells located throughout the city. The Water Division invests over $60,000 annually in water testing to ensure quality and fulfill its mission of providing excellent water service at reasonable rates to all customers.

Our distribution system serves northern Plymouth between Government Furnace Road and the Kingston/Carver boundaries, as well as Plymouth Center, Chiltonville, Manomet, and Cedarville areas east of Route 3 to the Bourne town line.

Health Information

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than others. People with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, elderly persons, and infants may face increased infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their drinking water.

Guidelines from the EPA and CDC on reducing infection risks from Cryptosporidium and other microorganisms are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or at http://water.a.gov/drink/hotline.

Understanding Your Water Composition

To ensure safe drinking water, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and EPA establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similar regulations from the FDA and Massachusetts Department of Public Health set standards for bottled water.

All water sources (tap and bottled) naturally contain some contaminants. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves minerals, sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment, septic systems, or livestock
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) occurring naturally or from urban runoff, industrial discharge, or agriculture
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and septic systems
• Radioactive materials that occur naturally or result from resource extraction activities

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Source Water Assessment

A Source Water Assessment Plan is available at our office. This plan evaluates the area around our water sources where contaminants could potentially affect our water supply. Based on this assessment, our system received a "medium" susceptibility rating. To review our Source Water Assessment Plan, visit www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/water/drinkling/sero/4239000.pdf or contact our office during business hours.

Water Conservation Tips

You can help conserve water and reduce your utility bills with these simple practices:

• Run dishwashers only when full (they use 15 gallons regardless of load size)
• Turn off the tap while brushing teeth
• Check for leaks in faucets—even slow drips waste 15-20 gallons daily
• Test toilets for leaks using food coloring in the tank—hidden leaks can waste up to 100 gallons daily
• Use your water meter to detect hidden leaks by checking if it moves when all water sources are turned off

Water Treatment Process

Our groundwater is naturally corrosive, so we add sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH to 8.5. Chlorine is added as a disinfectant, carefully monitored to use the minimum necessary amount without affecting taste. Some wells receive a phosphate mixture to control iron and manganese before water is pumped to storage tanks and delivered to customers.

Water Main Flushing

Distribution pipes that deliver water throughout the community can experience quality degradation over time. Flushing these mains with rapid water flow removes sediments like iron and manganese that can affect taste, clarity, and color. This process also eliminates stale water and ensures proper disinfectant levels and oxygen content.

During flushing operations in your area, you may experience temporary water quality changes. If this occurs, run cold water at full velocity for several minutes before use and avoid using hot water to prevent sediment accumulation in your water heater. Please contact us with any questions about our flushing schedule.

Understanding Water's Biological Component: Bacteria are a natural and essential part of our environment. Each human body contains approximately 40 trillion bacteria, which are vital to our survival.

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