349 Public Water Information 2018 2018 Consumer Confidence Report
For
Linda Manor
Leeds, Massachusetts
MASSDEP PWSID# 1214001
This report is a snapshot of the drinking water quality that we provided last year. Included are details
about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to state and federal
standards. We are committed to providing you with this information because informed customers are our
best allies.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM INFORMATION
Address: 349 Haydenville Rd. Leeds,MA
Contact Person: William Hildreth
Telephone#: 413-586-7700 email whildreth(abhsl.org
Internet Address: lindamanor.org
Water System Improvements
Our water system is routinely inspected by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
(MassDEP). MassDEP inspects our system for its technical, financial, and managerial capacity to provide
safe drinking water to you. To ensure that we provide the highest quality of water available, your water
system is operated by a Massachusetts certified operator who oversees the routine operations of our
system
Opportunities for Public Participation
If you would like to participate in discussions regarding your water quality, you may feel free to contact
Linda Manor.
YOUR DRINKING WATER SOURCE
Where Does My Drinking Water Come From?
Your water is provided by the following sources listed below:
The Linda Manor facility is supplied by (2) 6 inch daimeter wells. The wells are located in the field behind
the facility. The wells, qhich are labeled Well#1 and Well#2 are operated together when called for. The
wells have a combined approved pumping rate of 15 gallons per minute (gpm) from Well#1 and 9 gpm
for Well#2. Water is pumped from the wells by inline pumps into 2 fiberglass storage tanks also located in
the field behind the facility. There is a pH treatment system available for use, but is not in use do to the
acceptable pH range of the water. In 2018 a total of 5.1 million gallons was pumped.
Source Name MassDEP Source ID# Source Type Location of Source
Well#1 (North) 1214001-01G Groundwater Field located behind the facility
Well#2 (South) 1214001-02G Groundwater Field located behind the facility
Does my Drinking Water Meet Current Health Standards?
We are commited to providing you with the best water quality available. We are proud to report that last
year ypur drinking water met all applicable health standards regulated by the State and Federal
Government. We are pleased to report that our water system met all regulated standards as well. We and
MassDEP monitor and record the effectiveness of actions taken in response to contaminant detections
and violations.
Drinking Water Violations:
We are required to monitor our drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. While all
parameters met health standards, in Quarter 3 of 2018 we failed to timely provide consumer notice of the
individual Lead and Copper sample results, failed to submit certification of that required notification in a
timely manner, and also failed to timely report the 90th percentile Lead and Copper concentrations
measured from sampling. The Mass DEP Enforcement Document Number in regards to this matter is:
00004072
Is My Water Treated?
Our water system makes every effort to provide you with safe and pure drinking water. We are pleased to
report that your water does not need to be treated at this time to meet these goals. The water quality of
our system is constantly monitored by us and MassDEP to determine if any future treatment may be
required.
How Are These Sources Protected?
MassDEP has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the water supply
source(s) serving this water system. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of public water
supplies.
Where Can I See The SWAP Report?
The complete SWAP report is available at online at https://www.mass.izov/service-details/the-source-water-
assessment-protection-swap_program . For more information, call William Hildreth 413-586-7700
Residents and Employees can help protect sources by:
• Supporting water supply protection initiatives at the next town meeting
• Taking hazardous household chemicals to hazardous materials collection days
• Contacting Linda Manor or the Board of Health to volunteer for monitoring or education outreach
• Limiting pesticide and fertilizer use, etc.
SUBSTANCES FOUND IN TAP WATER
Sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, 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.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
Microbial contaminants -such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants,
septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants -such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban
stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and
farming.
Pesticides and herbicides -which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban
stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
Organic chemical contaminants -including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-
products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban
stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
Radioactive contaminants -which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production
and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain
contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled
water that must provide the same protection for public health.
All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts
of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a
health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling
the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.
Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who
have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some
elderly, and some infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice
about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) guidelines on lowering the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants
are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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. Linda Manor 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
htti)://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking
water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) —The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which
there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Action Level (AL) — The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other
requirements that a water system must follow.
90th Percentile—Out of every 10 homes sampled, 9 were at or below this level.
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) — These standards are developed to protect the
aesthetic qualities of drinking water and are not health based.
Unregulated Contaminants
Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The
purpose of unregulated monitoring is to assist EPA in determining their occurrence in drinking water and
whether future regulation is warranted.
Massachusetts Office of Research and Standards Guideline (ORSG)— This is the concentration of a
chemical in drinking water, at or below which, adverse health effects are unlikely to occur after chronic
(lifetime) exposure. If exceeded, it serves as an indicator of the potential need for further action.
Treatment Technique (TT) — A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in
drinking water.
ppm = parts per million, or milligrams per liter(mg/1)
ppb = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter(ug/1)
ppt = parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter
pCi/I = picocuries per liter(a measure of radioactivity)
NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Units
ND = Not Detected
N/A = Not Applicable
mrem/year= millimrems per year(a measure of radiation absorbed by the body)
WATER QUALITY TESTING RESULTS
What Does This Data Represent?
The water quality information presented in the table is from the most recent round of testing done in
accordance with the regulations. All data shown was collected during the last calendar year unless
otherwise noted in the table.
rH #of sites
Date(s) 90 Action #of sites Possible Source of
Collected percentile Level MCLG sampled above Action Level Contamination
Corrosion of household
Lead (ppb) 7/23/18 2.6 15 0 5 0 plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural
deposits
Corrosion of household
Copper plumbing systems;
(ppm) 7/23/18 1.095 1.3 1.3 5 0 Erosion of natural
deposits; Leaching from
wood preservatives
A Level 1 Assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if
possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.
A Level 2 Assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and
determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have
been found in our water system on multiple occasions.
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that
other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be present or that a potential pathway exists
through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms
indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we
are required to conduct assessments to identify any problems that were found during these assessments.
In 2018, all of the monthly bacteria samples taken at the Linda Manor facility yielded no positive results.
Highest Result
Date(s) Range
or Highest MCL
MCLG or Violation Possible Source(s)of
Regulated Contaminant Running or R
Collected Detected MRDLG (YIN) Contamination
Average i MRDL
Detected {
Inorganic Contaminants
I I �
I
Runoff from fertilizer
use;leaching from
Nitrate (ppm) Oct ND 10 10 N septic tanks;sewage;
2018 erosion of natural
deposits
Rocket propellants,
Perchlorate(ppb) July 0.146 2 N/A N fireworks,munitions,
2018 flares,blasting agents
7. EDUCATIONAL iNFORMATON
Do I Need To Be Concerned about Certain Contaminants Detected in My Water?
Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention
Linda Manor makes every effort to ensure that the water delivered to your home and business is clean,
safe and free of contamination. Our staff works very hard to protect the quality of the water delivered to
our customers from the time the water is extracted via deep wells from underground aquifers or
withdrawal point from a surface water source, throughout the entire treatment and distribution system.
But what happens when the water reaches your home or business? Is there still a need to protect the
water quality from contamination caused by a cross-connection? If so, how?
What is a cross-connection?
A cross-connection occurs whenever the drinking water supply is or could be in contact with potential
sources of pollution or contamination. Cross-connections exist in piping arrangements or equipment that
allows the drinking water to come in contact with non-potable liquids, solids, or gases (hazardous to
humans) in event of a backflow.
What is a backflow?
Backflow is the undesired reverse of the water flow in the drinking water distribution lines. This backward
flow of water can occur when the pressure created by equipment or a system such as a boiler or air-
conditioning is higher than the water pressure inside the water distribution line (back pressure), or when
the pressure in the distribution line drops due to routine occurrences such as water main breaks or heavy
water demand causing the water to flow backward inside the water distribution system (back siphonage).
Backflow is a problem that many water consumers are unaware of, a problem that each and every water
customer has a responsibility to help prevent.
What can I do to help prevent a cross-connection?
Without the proper protection something as simple as a garden hose has the potential to contaminate or
pollute the drinking water lines in your house. In fact over half of the country's cross-connection incidents
involve unprotected garden hoses. There are very simple steps that you as a drinking water user can
take to prevent such hazards, they are:
• NEVER submerge a hose in soapy water buckets, pet watering containers, pool, tubs, sinks,
drains, or chemicals.
• NEVER attached a hose to a garden sprayer without the proper backflow preventer.
• Buy and install a hose bibb vacuum breaker in any threaded water fixture. The installation can be
as easy as attaching a garden hose to a spigot. This inexpensive device is available at most
hardware stores and home-improvement centers.
• Identify and be aware of potential cross-connections to your water line.
• Buy appliances and equipment with backflow preventers.
• Buy and install backflow prevention devices or assemblies for all high and moderate hazard
connections.
For Additional Information Please Contact:
Jeffrey Hildreth
Water System Operator
413-219-0982 or jeffhil14@yahoo.com