QualityMany customers have reported discolored water over the past several weeks the root cause of which is a change in source water chemistry. All of our water comes from groundwater wells. The slight change in the ground water has made minerals that contain manganese near the wells more soluble. Two of the treatment processes that we currently use to meet Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, chlorination and corrosion control, severely reduce the solubility of manganese which causes it to form a powder like coating on virtually all interior piping surfaces including water mains, service lines and home plumbing. Discolored water occurs when this coating is disturbed and the powder becomes suspended in the water turning the water brown and sometimes black. A disturbance, such as a water main break, can cause issues system wide or something as simple as filling the bathtub can loosen the deposits in your own service line.
Water Quality
Our water is tested on a regular basis according to state and federal regulations. We monitor certain water quality parameters on a continuous basis at the source, conduct routine tests in our lab, and send samples out to state certified labs for testing. A water quailty report is published and mailed to our customers every year. Extra copies of the reports are available at the Public Works Building and online.
In order to meet state and federal requirements for public drinking water, our source water receives treatment before it is supplied to our customers. We treat our water for corrosion control and disinfection. The pH of the water is raised with potassium hydroxide to reduce its corrosivity in household plumbing. Sodium hypochlorite is added to disinfect the water. In addition, fluoride is added to the water to promote strong, healthy teeth and a sequestrant is added to control precipitation of manganese.
Sequestrant Status
We have installed a chemical injection system that will add a poly/ortho phosphate blend to the water that will bind manganese into a soluble state before other treatment chemicals reduce its solubility. The system is expected to go online shortly.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is in the process of inspecting the sequestrant treatment system. They will return on 11/8 to check the pump pacing systems, pipe labeling and finalize the sampling and testing plan.
November 8th Update: DEP completed the inspection and will issue a letter of approval at which point the system will be put into operation.
November 14th Update: We received written approval from DEP and started adding the sequestrant to the water this morning. The dose will be gradually increased over the next 4 weeks until the recommended dose is reached.
November 23rd Update: The dose was increased to 50% of the goal dose on Monday, November 21st.
November 28th Update: The dose was increased to 75% of the goal.
December 5th Update: The sequestrant is now at the recommended dose.
2010 Water Quality Report
The Topsfield Water Department (PWS ID#3298000) is committed to providing our customers with high quality drinking water that meets or surpasses state or federal standards for quality and safety. To ensure delivery of a quality product, we have made significant investments in treatment facilities, water quality monitoring and the distribution system. We are pleased to report the results of our calendar year 2010 water testing to inform you about your drinking water. Each year, we will be mailing you information about water quality.
Dishwasher Detergent Reformulation
Manufacturer's of dishwasher detergents have reduced the phosphate content in their products to less than 0.5% in order to comply with new regulations that were adopted by sixteen states including Massachusetts. The new regulations went into effect on July 1, 2010. Some detergents contained as much as 8.7% phosphate so there could be a substaintial reduction depending on the brand of detergent you use. Phosphate is typically the limiting nutirient in fresh water enviroments. The reduction is intended to curb problems caused by excessive phosphate loading such as low dissolved oxygen content and algeal blooms in fresh water bodies.
One of the main benefits of using phosphates in detergents is that it prevents mineral deposits from forming on dishes as they dry. The calcium and magnesium content of water is commonly referred too as the hardness of the water. Phosphates were added to detergents to counteract hard water. Most groundwater sources New England, including our two water sources, contain high amounts of calcium and magnesium and are considered hard. The minerals are dissolved from soil and rock formations as the water flows through the ground. Water withdrawn from surface water supplies such as streams, rivers and lakes typically have much lower mineral content and are considered soft.
Discolored Water?
Is your water discolored water? It is not unusual for water to be discolored while we are flushing hydrants, after a water main break or during a fire. If your cold water is discolored at other times please give us a call or check our website for information about causes of system wide problems.
The hydrants are flushed twice per year to remove sediment in the water mains but the deposit also forms in water services and home plumbing. If you find that the occurrences of discolored water do not coincide with flushing or main breaks and your neighbors do not have the same issue, it might be time to flush your water service.
We can flush the service for you by removing the water meter, attaching a hose and running the service at full pressure to scour the pipe wall. It takes about a half an hour and there is no charge for the work. We will need access to the water meter and someone over the age of 18 must be at home while the work is done. Please call (978) 887-1517 to schedule an appointment.
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