2006 Annual Water Quality Report

Drinking Water Contaminates and Contaminate Sources

The quality of drinking water is a subject that is frequently discussed, but more often misunderstood. Just a few years ago we seldom questioned the water we drank. In the past few years technology has given us the ability to measure small amounts of contaminates. Along with technology come public awareness and more Federal and State regulations. Even with today's technology some people still question the safety of their public water supply and turn to alternative sources which may have less stringent testing requirements for drinking 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: (A) Microbial contaminants--such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. (B) Inorganic Contaminants--such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming. (C) Pesticides and herbicides--which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses. (D) Organic chemical contaminants--including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. (E) Radioactive contaminants-- which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Regulations and Limits--DEP, EPA, FDA, DPH

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 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. 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. Immunecompromised 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 for infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health agents. EPA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on lowering the risk of infection by microbial contaminants are also available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP)
Harwich Water Departments Rating is "HIGH"

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the water supply sources serving the Harwich water system. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies.

There exist a number of land uses and activities that are potential sources of contamination. The SWAP Report notes the following key issues for our sources; Inappropriate activities in Zone I areas, Residential land uses and activities within Zone IIs, Comprehensive wellhead protection planning for Zone IIs, Storm water pollution within Zone IIs, Transmission line right-of-way within Zone IIs, transportation corridor within Zone IIs. If you'd like to obtain a full copy of this report, please contact our office.

The complete SWAP report is available at the Water Department and online at www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/4126000.pdf. For more information, call the Harwich Water Department at 508-432-0304.