Scituate Water Division

We're pleased to present our annual municipal water quality report. Our utility remains dedicated to delivering the highest-quality water possible to our residents. We continue to meet the challenges of new regulations, source water protection, conservation initiatives, and community education while effectively serving our customers' daily needs.

The year 2017 marked significant improvements in our water infrastructure. As part of our Water Main Replacement Project, we installed over three miles of new water mains. Many of our older mains (some exceeding 80 years in age) contain iron, manganese, and mineral deposits that can cause "brown water" when disturbed during maintenance or hydrant flushing.

Early in the year, we upgraded the motor controls at our Old Oaken Bucket Water Treatment Plant, resulting in improved pump efficiency and notable energy savings. We also replaced the aging activated-carbon materials in our filtration system to better remove contaminants affecting taste, odor, and quality. Additionally, we replaced well #22 with a new well (#22R) featuring an energy-efficient pump that increases production capacity to meet growing demand.

For questions about this report or your water service, please contact Sean Anderson, Water Department Superintendent, at (781) 545-8735.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, certain elderly persons, and infants—may face higher infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their drinking water. The EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and microbial contamination risks are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Understanding Potential Water Contaminants

To ensure safe drinking water, Massachusetts DEP and the U.S. EPA establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA and Massachusetts DPH regulations set similar limits for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled varieties, reasonably may contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, while potentially picking up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential water contaminants include:

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, or wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: Salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides/Herbicides: From various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, or septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

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

Fluoride Benefits

Fluoride occurs naturally in many water supplies at trace levels. In our system, we adjust fluoride to 0.7 parts per million (ppm) to promote dental health in children. At this level, it remains safe, odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Our water system has provided this treatment since 1956, benefiting approximately 3.9 million Massachusetts residents and 184 million Americans nationwide.

Water Sources

Scituate's water comes from multiple sources: six wells, Old Oaken Bucket Pond, the Tack Factory Pond/Reservoir system, and (for Humarock only) the Town of Marshfield. Our wells are located off Damon Stetson Road (#10 and #11), Tack Factory Pond Road (#17A), the Driftway (#18B), Chief Justice Cushing Highway (#19) near Town Hall, and Old Oaken Road (#22R).

Water Assessment and Protection

A Source Water Assessment Plan is available online at http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/water/drinking/swap/sero/4264000.pdf. This assessment evaluates the area around water sources where contaminants could potentially migrate into our supply. According to the plan, our system received a "high" susceptibility rating. For review access, please visit the website listed above.

Community Involvement

The Board of Selectmen, serving as our Water Committee, holds public meetings twice monthly at Town Hall. These meetings typically occur Tuesday evenings, and residents are welcome to attend. Meeting dates and agendas appear on the Town Hall bulletin board and website (www.scituatema.gov). For additional water information and current department activities, visit www.scituatema.gov/water-division.

Our Professional Team

Delivering high-quality water involves complex processes beyond basic infrastructure. Water treatment professionals must complete extensive training and certification. Our operators receive training in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and electrical systems before earning their licenses. Currently, all our treatment plant operators hold professional licenses, including our Chief Treatment Plant Operator, who holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry.

Our staff's daily responsibilities include:

• Conducting year-round chemical analyses of raw and treated water to determine treatment requirements
• Operating and maintaining purification and disinfection equipment
• Adjusting process settings and flow rates to maintain optimal chemistry while meeting usage demands
• Documenting test results and operations for regulatory compliance

Additionally, our team conducts facility tours for students and residents, provides conservation education at community events, and offers expert customer service. So when you turn on your tap, you can trust the expertise behind your water.

1. What causes brown water in Scituate? Brown water typically results from iron and manganese deposits in older water mains (some 80+ years old) that get disturbed during maintenance work or hydrant flushing.
2. Does Scituate add fluoride to the water? Yes, fluoride is adjusted to 0.7 parts per million to promote dental health, a practice in place since 1956.
3. Where does Scituate's water come from? Multiple sources: six wells, Old Oaken Bucket Pond, the Tack Factory Pond/Reservoir system, and the Town of Marshfield (for Humarock area only).
4. How do I report water quality concerns? Contact the Water Department Superintendent at (781) 545-8735 or email brownwater@scituatema.gov.
5. Are there special considerations for vulnerable populations? Yes, people with compromised immune systems should consult healthcare providers about their drinking water needs.