Stoughton Water Department

Quality First: We're pleased to present our 2017 annual municipal water quality report. As in previous years, we remain committed to delivering the highest quality water possible to our community. Our team continuously works to meet new regulatory challenges, ensure source water protection, promote conservation, implement advanced treatment technologies, upgrade infrastructure, provide staff training, and engage with the community through education and outreach programs.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your family with reliable water service. Thank you for your trust.

Important Health Information: Naturally occurring manganese in water above 55 ppb may cause discoloration and taste issues. The EPA recommends limiting consumption of water with manganese levels exceeding 1,000 ppb due to potential neurological effects. For infants under one year old, water with manganese above 300 ppb should not be used for formula preparation for more than 10 days.

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, people with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and infants—should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding their drinking water. Guidelines from the EPA/CDC on reducing infection risk are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or http://water.a.gov/drink/hotline.

Stoughton's Water System Overview: Our water infrastructure includes:

• Seven groundwater wells with pumping stations
• Connection to Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) on Island Street
• Four water storage tanks
• Approximately 150 miles of water mains
• Emergency connections with Canton, Brockton, Easton and Sharon

About 95% of our water comes from Stoughton's own resources, with the remaining 5% from MWRA supply.

Water Conservation Tips:

• Run dishwashers only when full - they use 15 gallons regardless of load size
• Turn off taps while brushing teeth
• Check for leaks - a slow drip wastes 15-20 gallons daily (up to 6,000 gallons yearly)
• Test toilets for leaks with food coloring - a leaking toilet can waste up to 100 gallons daily (over 30,000 gallons yearly)
• Use your water meter to detect hidden leaks by turning off all water fixtures and checking if the meter changes over 15 minutes

Lead in Home Plumbing: Elevated lead levels pose serious health risks, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily enters water through service line materials and home plumbing components. While we provide high-quality water, we cannot control plumbing materials in homes. When water has been sitting for several hours, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/lead.

Benefits of Chlorination: Disinfection through chlorination has been one of the most significant public health advancements in human history. Before regular chlorine treatment began in 1908 (first in Chicago and Jersey City), thousands of Americans died annually from waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Chlorination provides multiple benefits:

• Effective germ elimination - reduces disease-causing organisms to nearly undetectable levels
• Improves taste and odor by reducing unpleasant substances like sulfides and algae
• Prevents biological growth in water infrastructure
• Helps remove iron and manganese from raw water

Potential Water Contaminants: To ensure safety, both the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water supplies. The FDA and Massachusetts Department of Public Health set similar standards for bottled water.

All water sources (tap and bottled) naturally contain some level of impurities. As water travels over land or underground, it can pick up substances from natural minerals, animal presence, and human activity. These may include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage systems, agriculture, or wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) from natural sources, urban runoff, or industrial processes
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, or residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, or septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or resulting from resource extraction

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

Common Questions About Boil Water Orders

1. How will I be notified of a boil order? Notifications are sent through local media and the Pope County Emergency Alert System.
2. Why does boiling water make it safe? Boiling eliminates disease-causing microorganisms.
3. How long should I boil water? Maintain a full rolling boil for one complete minute.
4. How long do boil orders typically last? Duration varies depending on specific circumstances.
5. How will I know when the boil order ends? Through local media and county alert system notifications.
6. What steps should I take when the order lifts? Special instructions, if needed, will be provided through media or county alerts.
7. Should I still boil water if I have a home filter? Yes, most household filters don't effectively remove all microorganisms.
8. Is boiled water necessary for food preparation? Yes - wash produce, cook foods, prepare beverages, clean food surfaces, and prepare baby formula with properly boiled water.
9. Is boiled water required for bathing? No, but avoid swallowing water and consider sponge baths for young children. Use boiled cooled water for tooth brushing.
10. What about ice, dishes, pets, and cleaning? Make fresh ice with boiled water; dishwashers with 150° final rinse or sanitizing cycles are safe; hand-washed dishes can be sanitized with a teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon; provide pets with boiled water; routine cleaning (except food areas) is typically fine.