Sharon Water Department

Sharon's Municipal Water System Overview

Our municipal water system incorporates 6 groundwater supply wells and pumping stations, four water storage tanks, and approximately 120 miles of water main. The groundwater sources are naturally high quality, requiring minimal treatment. We disinfect our water and treat it for corrosion control to minimize lead and copper levels. Fluoride is added to promote dental health and prevent cavities.

Potential Contamination Sources

Sources of tap water (both municipal and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity. Contaminants potentially present in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or resulting from oil/gas production and mining activities

Quality Assurance

To ensure tap water safety, the Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. All water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. FDA and Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations establish similar safety limits for bottled water. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Water Source Assessment

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for our water supply sources. This report indicates our groundwater is highly vulnerable to contamination from residential activities near wells, residential land uses, accidental spills from roads (including Route 95), railroad hazards, hazardous materials storage, existing contamination sites, and agricultural activities.

Vulnerable Populations Advisory

Some individuals may be more susceptible to contaminants than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants—may be particularly vulnerable to infections. These people should consult healthcare providers about water consumption. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the EPA's Safe Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Cross Connection Safety

A cross connection is a link between a drinking water pipe and a contaminated source. Contamination can originate from your own home. For example, when applying fertilizer with a hose-connected sprayer, a pressure drop could potentially siphon fertilizer back into water pipes. Installing a backflow prevention device, such as an inexpensive hose-bib vacuum breaker available at hardware stores, can prevent this hazard. The Sharon Water Department recommends these devices for all indoor and outdoor hose connections to protect your household and community water system.

Water Conservation

Our annual pumping data shows total water volume pumped from the Town's six groundwater source wells from 1995 through 2017. The State permits Sharon to pump no more than 600 million gallons annually. Over the past 23 years, our annual average was 519 million gallons, well below the permitted amount. Since 2006, thanks to outdoor water use regulations and proactive leak detection efforts, pumping volume has remained below the 23-year average. In 2017, total pumping decreased to 388 million gallons, reflecting successful conservation efforts.

To check your water efficiency, divide your gallons consumed (from your water bill) by the billing period length, then divide by household members. Your per capita daily use should not exceed 65 gallons. Lower usage means lower water bills.

Regional Partnerships

The Sharon Water Department participates in the Neponset Stormwater Partnership, managed by the Neponset River Watershed Association, collaborating on regional water quality initiatives.

1. How often is Sharon's municipal water tested?
2. What treatment processes are used for Sharon's groundwater?
3. How can residents report water quality concerns?
4. Are there seasonal restrictions on water usage in Sharon?
5. How does Sharon's water hardness compare to regional averages?