Drinking Water Quality Report Our goal is to provide our customers with high quality drinking water that meets all state and federal standards for quality and safety. We have made significant investments in treatment facilities, water quality monitoring, and the distribution system. Rutland s Water System - Rutland s water is supplied from Muschopauge Pond. In this age of security concerns for all public water supplies, some subtle changes have taken place to help protect the supply being Rutland s only source of water. Source Water Assessment and Protection The (SWAP) Program assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies. A rating of high was assigned to the Town of Rutland by the Massachusetts DEP using the information collected during the assessment. The high rating was based on the potential for various land uses in the watershed to become sources of contamination if improperly managed. These land uses include farms, residences with septic systems, underground and above ground storage tanks, roads, household hazardous materials and wildlife within the watershed. The complete SWAP Report is available at the Rutland Department of Public Works, 17 Pommogussett Road or by calling (508) 886-4105 or MassDEP website at www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking.htm. Any Questions? - If you have any questions or you want to know more about the water system, please call Gary Kellaher, Superintendent of Public Works, at (508) 886-4105 with comments, concerns, and/or questions. We are located at the DPW Facility,17 Pommogussett Road, Rutland, Massachusetts. We encourage all residents to attend and participate in the Board of Selectmen s meeting every other Monday at 6:00 p.m. in the Rutland Public Library. Important Definitions Action Level (AL) The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. Level (MCL) The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL s are set as close to the MCLG s as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Level Goal (MCLG) The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG s allow for a margin of safety. Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) The highest level of a disinfectant (chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide) allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) The level of a drinking water disinfectant (chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide) below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG s do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. Treatment Technique (TT) A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Variances and Exemptions State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions. Secondary Level (SMCL) These standards are developed to protect the aesthetic qualities of drinking water and are not health based. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) The State Agency responsible for setting and enforcing drinking water regulations in Massachusetts. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) The Federal Agency responsible for setting and enforcing drinking water regulation ppm parts per million. ppb parts per billion. pci/l picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units
Water Treatment Protecting the source of water is not enough to assure that your tap water is safe to drink. Both natural and manmade contaminants can still enter even the most well protected water supply. Water treatment is necessary as a barrier of protection. All of Rutland s drinking water is treated at the Muschopauge Pond Water Filtration Plant. The Plant which began operation in 1997 produces water that fully complies with Federal and State Drinking Water Standards. During, 117,068,400 gallons of water were treated at the filtration plant using the following processes. Pre-Treatment to disinfect and break down organic matter which helps control iron and manganese. Coagulation and Flocculation to make tiny particles in the water stick together to form larger particles, which can then be trapped in the filters. Upflow Clarifiers and Gravity Filtration removes particles from the water using plastic media in the clarifiers, and coal and sand in the filters. ph Adjustment to make the water less acidic and less corrosive. Disinfection to kill bacteria and other micro-organisms. Fluoridation to help prevent tooth decay. Corrosion Control to make the water less corrosive so that lead and copper found in household, and iron found in water mains does not dissolve into the water. Substances Found in Tap Water Sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Water Quality Testing Results s that may be present in source water include: Microbiological s such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Total Coliform Bacteria are a group of bacteria that serve as indicators of potential water quality problems. Total coliform bacteria are naturally present in soil, surface waters, and vegetation. They are not harmful by themselves, but when detected may indicate that conditions are right for the presence of more harmful microorganisms. Certain types of coliform bacteria can survive in the water distribution system despite the presence of chlorine. Fecal Coliform are a group of bacteria that thrive at warmer temperatures as those found in the gut tract of humans and warmblooded animals. Whenever a total coliform is detected in a water sample, that same sample must be tested for fecal coliform. During, eighty-nine water samples were taken at DEP approved sites in the distribution system. No samples tested positive for coliform bacteria. A total of twelve samples of raw untreated water from Muschopauge Pond were tested. Twelve samples tested positive for coliform bacteria, three tested positive for fecal coliform. Inorganic s (IOC s) Includes a variety of chemicals, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharge, oil and gas production, mining and farming. Level Detected Level (MCL) Level Goal (MCLG) Nitrates 0.10 10 ppm 10 ppm Sodium 16 ppm None Detected None Detected Sulfate None Detected None Detected None Detected Barium 0.016 ppm 2.0 ppm 2.0 ppm Rutland s water supply is tested annually for all IOC s by sampling the water after treatment but before it enters the distribution system. Only 3 of the 13 IOC s were detected in Rutland s water in. All of the contaminants detected were found at levels well below the MCL s and are not cause for concern. Sodium is a naturally occurring common element found in soil and water. It is necessary for the normal functioning of regulating fluids in humane systems. Some people, however, have difficulty regulating fluid volume as a result of several diseases, including congestive heart failure, kidney failure and hypertension. The amount of sodium you get from drinking Rutland s water is tiny compared to what is in many foods. For additional information, contact your Health Care Provider, your local Board of Health, or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Assessment at (617) 624-5757.
Drinking Water Quality Report Fluoride is a naturally occurring element in many water supplies in trace amounts. In our system the fluoride level is adjusted to an optimal level averaging one part per million (ppm or mg/l) to improve oral health in children. At this level, it is safe, odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Our water system has been providing this treatment since 1985. There are over 3.9 million people in 140 Massachusetts water systems and 184 million people in the United States who receive the health and economic benefits of fluoridation. Fluoride Date(s) Collected Highest Result or Highest Running Average Detected Range Detected MCL MCLG Violation (Y/N) Monthly 1.1 0.7 1.2 4 4 No Possible Sources of Contamination Water additive which promotes strong teeth Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC s) Volatile Organic Compounds are a group of fifty-eight chemicals associated with man-made products, such as gasoline, heating oil, cleaners, solvents, and the like. Rutland s water was tested one time in after treatment before it enters the distribution system. The two chemicals found are associated with the disinfection by-products and are no cause for concern. Result PPB MCL Detect Limit PPB Chloroform 11 None 0.5 Bromodichloromethane 2.5 None 0.5 Dibromochloromethane None None 0.5 Radioactive s Radioactive substances can be both natural and man-made. They can enter water supplies from atmospheric fallout, runoff, illegal disposal of radioactive waste or from natural deposits of radioactive materials, such as radon and uranium. A sample collected in April of 2003 measured near the detection limit. The next sampling will be in 2016. Result MCL Gross Alpha Activity 0.6 (+/-1.3) 15 pci/l Radium 0.1 (+/-0.5) 5 pci/l Disinfection/Disinfection By-products Disinfection by-products are organic compounds produced when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess or the MCL over many years can experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or nervous system, and may have increased risk of getting cancer. Date Collected Average Detect Range Detected MCL Monthly Chlorine 0.82 ppm 0.43-1.01 4.0 Quarter 1 TTHM s Site 1 79 73 73 50 75 71 75 Site 2 54 45 53 32 54 61 63 Quarterly Average 67 59 63 41 65 66 69 Running Annual Average 58 57 59 60 REPORT IN TABLE: Highest Annual Average = 60 AND Range = 32-79 MCL: 80 ppb HALOACETIC ACIDS Quarter 1
Site 1 46 44 14 55 59 21 8 Site 2 40 59 41 48 51 46 36 Quarterly Average 43 52 28 52 55 34 22 Running Annual Average 44 47 42 41 REPORT IN TABLE: Highest Annual Average = 47 AND Range = 8-59 MCL: 60 ppb Lead and Copper If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Town of Rutland is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Both lead and copper enter the water near the point of use. Lead from the solder used in homes prior to 1986 and copper from the pipes in the house if the water is corrosive. Lead and copper samples were collected from twenty households in. None of the twenty samples exceeded the 1.3 level for copper and the 0.015 for lead. Lead and copper samples are scheduled to be taken again in July, 2017. If your home was built between 1983-1986 and are interested in having a sample done at no cost, contact the Water Department at (508) 886-4105. Date Collected 90 th percentile # of sites exceeded # of sites sampled %of sites above action level Action Level MCLG Lead 09-17-14 0.0014 0 20 0.015 0 N Copper 09-17-14 0.058 0 20 0 1.3 1.3 N Violation (Y/N) Possible source of contamination Corrosion of household plumbing Corrosion of household plumbing Turbidity Turbidity is continuously monitored at the filtration plant because it is a good indicator of water quality. The turbidity ranged from.028 to.057 in which is well below the limit of 0.30 for Rutland s type of plant. Other Analysis Measurement Result Detection Limit Calcium 5.2 0.1 Chloride 21.0 0.5 Hardness 19.0 0.6 Magnesium 1.5 0.1 Manganese None Detected 0.005 Iron None Detected 0.3 Odor (ton) 1 1 ph 8.2 0.01 Potassium 2.2 0.2 Sulfate None Detected 8 Total Dissolved Solids 71 17 Alkalinity Total 9.8 1.0 The compound in this table are not necessarily contaminants, but are general measures of water chemistry. The Rutland Department of Public Works would like to remind all homeowners with in-ground sprinkler systems that they must have the proper cross connection devices to be in compliance with DPW and DEP regulations. Copies of this report may be obtained by calling (508) 886-4105. They may also be picked up at the Community Hall, Community Hall Annex, or the Rutland Public Library.
Drinking Water Quality Report