Shrewsbury Water Department

The Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) program requires states to evaluate the vulnerability of public water supplies to potential contamination sources. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) has completed assessments for all Zone II areas for Shrewsbury's wells.

Each well has a protected 400-foot radius Area I that the town owns or controls through easements. The Area II designates the primary aquifer recharge zone, defined through hydrogeologic studies and unique to each well. Mass DEP assigned a "high" susceptibility rating to each Area II due to:

• The wells are located in aquifers highly vulnerable to contamination due to lack of protective clay barriers
• Mixed residential, commercial, and light industrial land uses within the Zone II areas
• Proximity to the Route 290 corridor

The Shrewsbury Water Department has proactively addressed these vulnerabilities since 1988 through an Aquifer Overlay District with specific building regulations and activity restrictions, alongside other protective town bylaws. The complete SWAP report is available at mass.gov or at the Shrewsbury Water Department office.

Shrewsbury's water supply comes entirely from eight active gravel-packed groundwater wells in the northwest section of town. Six wells pump water to the Home Farm Water Treatment Plant for processing before distribution. State and federal regulations require specific treatments:

• Air stripping removes VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from Home Farm wells 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 & 6-5
• Chlorine disinfection prevents waterborne illnesses
• pH adjustment via potassium hydroxide and phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors reduce lead and copper while sequestering manganese
• Fluoride addition for dental health

Three wells (South Street, Sewall Street #5 and Oak Street) are currently inactive as their capacity has been transferred to the more efficient Home Farm facility.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and potentially radioactive materials, and may pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants: Salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides/herbicides: From agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemicals: Synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants: Naturally occurring or from oil/gas production and mining

Regarding lead and copper: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While Shrewsbury Water Department is responsible for providing quality water, they cannot control the materials in your plumbing components. If your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.

The EPA sets regulations limiting contaminants in public water systems, while FDA regulations establish similar standards for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons (cancer patients undergoing treatment, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders, some elderly, and infants) should seek advice from healthcare providers about drinking water.

1. What is the source of Shrewsbury's municipal water?
2. How often is Shrewsbury's water tested for contaminants?
3. What treatment processes are used for Shrewsbury's water?
4. How can residents receive water quality reports?
5. Who should I contact with water quality concerns?