Annual Water Quality Reports
This report is also available as a PDF for
dowloading and printing.
Leak Detection
Checklist:
STEP 1: Read the water meter in the evening after all water usage
for that day is complete and then again first thing in the morning.
If there is any change in the meter reading, this indicates a leak.
STEP 2: Check all toilets for leaks by putting food coloring into
the back of each toilet tank last thing in the evening before going
to sleep. If any coloring appears in the bowl the following morning,
this may indicate a leak. Call your plumber for needed repairs.
Smaller repairs may be made by the homeowner.
STEP 3: If your toilet doesn't indicate a leak, please check all
faucets.
STEP 4: If you have underground water lines that run to outbuildings
or distant hose bibs, shut them off and try to isolate those fixtures
then follow STEP 1.
We will be glad to assist you, permitting that personnel are available.
Contact our office for further information.
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2006 Annual Water Quality Report
Water Sampling
 In order to determine the presence of any radioactive, biological, inorganic,
volatile organic or synthetic organic contaminates, the Harwich Water Department
takes hundreds of water samples each year. The tables below and on the following
page shows only those contaminates that were detected in Harwich water.
The state requires us to monitor for certain substances less than once per
year because the concentrations of these substances do not change frequently.
In these cases, the most recent sample data are included.
The Harwich Water Department did not receive any drinking water violations
in 2006.
| REGULATED CONTAMINATES |
| SUBSTANCE (UNITS) |
YEAR SAMPLED |
MCL |
MCLG |
AVERAGE DETECTED |
RANGE LOW - HIGH |
MCL VIOLATION? |
TYPICAL SOURCE |
| Nitrate (ppm) |
02/2006 |
10 |
10 |
2.8 |
.1 |
No |
Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from fertilizer use |
| Nitrite (ppm) |
02/2005 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
<0.05 |
0.05 |
No |
Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits |
| Coliform (ppb) |
NA |
<1 |
0 |
NA |
0 (highest # positive in a month) |
No |
Naturally occurring and present in the environment. |
| Coliform are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and indicate that other potentially harmful bacteria may be present. |
| LEAD AND COPPER ACTION LEVELS AT RESIDENTIAL
TAPS |
| SUBSTANCE (UNITS) |
ACTION LEVEL |
MCLG |
AMOUNT DETECTED (90TH%TILE) |
SITES SAMPLED ON JULY 2006 |
SITES ABOVE ACTION LEVEL |
MCL VIOLATION? |
TYPICAL SOURCE |
| Lead* (ppb) |
15 ppb |
0.015 |
0.01 |
54 |
2 |
No |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leach from Wood preservatives |
| Copper |
1.3 mg/l |
1.3 |
1.1 |
54 |
5 |
No |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits |
| Because our Lead and Copper samples did not exceed action
levels established by the state of Massachusetts in our tap water, we
are not required to sample this coming year. We have not exceeded the
state allowable action levels for two consecutive sample periods followed
by three rounds of reduced sampling. Therefore our Department is now
required to sample for Lead and Copper every three (3) years. The Department
conducted its last round of sampling this year (2006) and will conduct
its next round of sampling in 2009.
*Lead: Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable
to lead in drinking water than the general population. It
is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than
at other homes in the community as a result of materials
used in your home's plumbing. If you are concerned about
elevated levels in your home's water, you may wish to have
your water tested and flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2
minutes before using tap water that has sat unused for awhile.
Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at 800.426.4791. |
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