Walpole Water Department

WATER QUALITY REPORT: Throughout this season, the Walpole Water Department conducted over 500 water quality tests examining bacteria, nitrates, organics, and various other contaminants including trihalomethanes. The table below highlights chemicals detected in our municipal water during 2017. Although all detected chemicals remain below the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) established by the EPA, we believe transparency about your water composition is essential.

The state permits less frequent monitoring for certain substances when concentrations remain stable. In such cases, we've included the most recent test data along with the testing year.

Potential Sources of Water Contaminants

To ensure safe tap water, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and EPA set regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA and state regulations establish similar protections for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably 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 naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Possible contaminants include:

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, or wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: Salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides: From agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and 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.

Our Commitment to Quality

As we enter our 123rd year of public water service, we remain dedicated to delivering high-quality drinking water while addressing challenges related to regulations, source protection, conservation, and demand management. We welcome your thoughts on this report and are always available to assist with questions or concerns.

The Walpole Water Division is located at Town Hall, 135 School St. For information about hours, this report, or other water-related questions, please contact Ron Mattson, Superintendent of Sewer and Water, at (508) 660-7309.

Important Health Information

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly persons, and infants—may face higher infection risks. These individuals should seek medical advice about drinking water. Guidelines from the EPA/CDC on reducing Cryptosporidium and microbial contamination risk are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or http://water.EPA.gov/drink/hotline.

Lead Education Statement

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials and components in service lines and home plumbing. While we provide high-quality water, we cannot control the materials used in plumbing components. When 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. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Water Sources

Walpole's water supply comes entirely from groundwater drawn from two underground aquifers formed thousands of years ago after the Great Ice Age. The School Meadow Brook Aquifer in southern Walpole has ten wells, while the Mine Brook Aquifer in the west-northwestern area has four operational well sets. As backup, Walpole maintains interconnections with Foxboro and Norwood along Washington Street, Water Street, and Union Street, which are regularly maintained though not recently used.

Cross Connection Awareness

A cross-connection occurs when a drinking water pipe connects to a contaminated source. Contamination can originate in your own home—for example, when using a garden hose with fertilizer spray attachment. If water pressure drops while spraying, fertilizer could be siphoned back into your drinking water. Prevent this problem by installing a backflow-prevention device on your hose. Contact Rick Mattson, Superintendent of Sewer and Water, for more information.

2018 Mandatory Water Management Policy

Effective April 30 to October 1, 2018, outdoor water use must follow these guidelines:

• Properties with odd-numbered addresses may water lawns on Mondays and Thursdays
• Properties with even-numbered addresses may water lawns on Tuesdays and Fridays
• Lawn watering between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM is prohibited on any day

The following outdoor uses are permitted daily with a handheld hose using a spring-loaded nozzle or watering can:

• Vegetable and flower garden watering
• Ornamental shrub and tree watering
• Car washing and building power washing
• Pool filling

This policy is MANDATORY and violators may face penalties or enforcement action.

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