Salem Beverly Water Supply Board

This report outlines the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board's water resources and treated water quality for 2017. Published to fulfill federal right-to-know regulations requiring community water suppliers to provide annual water quality information to customers, this document includes additional details beyond minimum requirements as part of our commitment to transparency regarding your water safety.

Salem and Beverly utilize approximately 3.5 billion gallons of water annually, drawn from the Ipswich River and three reservoir systems: Wenham Lake Reservoir, Putnamville Reservoir, and Longham Reservoir. Beverly's water system connects with Salem, Wenham, Danvers and Manchester, while Salem's mains connect with Beverly, Marblehead and Peabody.

The Board recognizes the ecological importance of maintaining adequate winter and spring flows in the Ipswich River for use during naturally low summer flows. Water is pumped from the Ipswich River to Putnamville Reservoir and Wenham Lake Reservoir during winter and spring for storage and summer use, with no pumping occurring during summer months. Similarly, Longham Reservoir supplements Wenham Lake Reservoir.

EPA Phase II Stormwater regulations require communities under 100,000 population to implement measures reducing water pollution from stormwater runoff, a major component of non-point source (NPS) pollution. Approximately 40% of America's surveyed waterways fail to meet standards for safe fishing or swimming, with NPS pollution being the nation's largest water quality concern according to EPA.

NPS pollution occurs when rainwater or snowmelt travels over land, collecting contaminants before entering waterways or storm drains. This runoff can pick up pollutants from driveways, construction sites, farms, or failing septic systems. Unlike point sources (such as discharge pipes), non-point sources are diffuse and difficult to control, potentially causing beach closures, fish kills, habitat destruction, and unsafe water conditions.

The Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) Program evaluates public water supplies' vulnerability to contamination from land uses within the watershed. Salem and Beverly's supply includes surface water from Wenham Lake (Source ID #3030001-01S), Longham Reservoir (Source ID #3030001-02S), Putnamville Reservoir (Source ID #3030001-03S) and the Ipswich River (Source ID #3030001-04S).

The system received a "high" susceptibility ranking due to at least one high threat within the protection area. With 17 potential high-threat land uses identified, including: manure storage, pesticide use, airports, auto repair shops, dry cleaners, hazardous materials storage, landfills, and underground storage tanks. This ranking doesn't indicate poor water quality but highlights activities requiring attention for source protection.

Salem and Beverly have implemented several protection measures including development review in Beverly and Wenham, watershed flow monitoring, and goose management on Wenham Lake. The complete SWAP report is available at the Salem and Beverly Supply Board and online at http:/www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/water/drinking/swap/nero/3030001.pdf, or by contacting the Board at 978-922-2600.

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