Woonsocket Water Department

Our Ongoing Commitment to Clean Water

We are pleased to present this year's water quality report covering testing conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2018. Over the years, we've dedicated ourselves to producing municipal water that meets or exceeds all state and federal standards. We continuously implement new methods to deliver the highest-quality water to your tap.

As new challenges emerge in water safety, we remain vigilant in protecting water sources, conserving resources, and educating our community while meeting the needs of all residents.

Public Participation Opportunities
Residents can contact Mayor Mack Baldelli-Hunt's office or attend Woonsocket City Council meetings to discuss water-related matters. The council reviews budgets, approves contracts, and considers ordinances that may affect Water Division operations. Meetings are held the first and third Monday monthly at 7:00 pm in Harris Hall at City Hall (169 Main Street). All sessions are broadcast live on Cox Channel 17 and Verizon FIOS Channel 22, with public comments welcomed.

Health Information
Certain populations may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general public. Immunocompromised individuals, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly residents, and infants may face increased health risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption. Guidelines from EPA/CDC on reducing infection risks from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or http://water.epa.gov/drink/hotline.

Source Water Assessment
The Rhode Island Department of Health has evaluated risks to Woonsocket's water supply sources. This assessment considered development intensity, nearby businesses, soil permeability in the source water protection area, and previous testing results. While our monitoring program ensures your household water remains safe, the assessment identified average contamination risks that require continued protection efforts. The complete Source Water Assessment Report is available from the Woonsocket Water Division (401-767-1411) or HEALTH (401-222-6867).

Treatment Process
Our treatment system involves several steps. First, raw water enters the plant from our source. Chemicals are added to initiate flocculation, causing small particles to combine into larger, heavier floc that settles to the bottom during clarification. The clear water then passes through deep-bed carbon filters to remove smaller particles. Final processing includes disinfection, fluoride addition for dental health, corrosion control, and pH adjustment before distribution.

Water Sources
Woonsocket uses surface water from the Crookfall Brook watershed (7.93 square miles) and Harris Pond watershed (33.5 square miles). Crookfall Brook serves as our primary, high-quality source, while Harris Pond provides supplemental supply when needed. We maintain active watershed protection programs to safeguard water quality.

Understanding Potential Contaminants
To ensure tap water safety, EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems, similar to FDA regulations for bottled water. All water sources naturally contain some substances in small amounts that don't necessarily indicate health risks.

Water travels over land or underground, dissolving natural minerals and sometimes picking up substances from animal presence or human activity. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage facilities, septic systems, agriculture, and wildlife
• Inorganic substances (salts, metals) occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, farming, or mining
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive materials occurring naturally or from resource extraction activities

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

Lead in Home Plumbing
Elevated lead levels pose serious health risks, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and household plumbing. While we provide quality water, we can't control plumbing component materials. When water sits unused for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned, consider water testing. Information about lead in drinking water is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Coliform Assessment Update
Coliforms are naturally-occurring bacteria that indicate potential water system issues. When detected, we must evaluate potential treatment or distribution problems. Last year, we conducted one required Level 1 assessment and implemented the necessary corrective action.

Cryptosporidium Information
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite found in surface waters throughout the U.S. Although filtration removes this organism, even advanced systems cannot guarantee 100% removal.

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