The Marblehead Water Department delivers the water to individual customers and businesses. Currently there are approximately 8,000 water meters in Marblehead. Two pump stations, one on Tedesco Street and one on Loring Avenue in neighboring Salem, maintain water pressure during high use periods. The system also includes two water storage tanks located on Burke’s Hill (off Tioga Way) and and on Village Street (near Tower Way).
All water is supplied by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). It originates primarily from the Quabbin Reservoir and the Wachusett Reservoir. The water is treated at the Walnut Hill treatment facility before moving on to the MWRA communities.
The purpose of a Cross-Connection Control Program is to protect the public potable water supply; to promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections between potable water systems and non-potable systems; and to provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connection control which will effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable water systems by cross-connection.
The Marblehead Water and Sewer Commission is responsible for the protection of the public potable water distribution system from contamination or pollution due to the backflow or back-siphoning of contaminants or pollutants. If, as a result of a survey of the premises, the Commission determines that an approved backflow prevention device is required at the town’s water service connection or as in-plant protection on any customer’s premises, the Commission, or its designated agent, shall issue a cross-connection violation form to said customer to install approved backflow prevention devices. The customer shall, within a time frame determined by the Commission, install such approved device or devices at his or her own expense, and failure or refusal or inability on the part of the customer to install said device or devices within the specified time frame shall constitute grounds for discontinuing water service to the premises until such device or devices have been properly installed to the Commission’s satisfaction.
Resources & Forms:
On April 27, 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines to water providers for the recommended amount of fluoride that should be added to water supplies. According to the CDC, the dose is being lowered because Americans now receive fluoride from a variety of sources, other than just water, and the dental benefits can be achieved with a lower amount of fluoride in the water.
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has adopted the recommendation at its Carroll Water Treatment Plant and has reduced the amount of fluoride in its water supplies from 1.0 mg/l to 0.7 mg/l to meet the CDC’s new guidelines. The MWRA provides water to its 45 member communities in eastern and metro west Massachusetts, which includes Marblehead.
Like most other water suppliers, the MWRA follows the guidance of the CDC, as well as the World Health Organization and the American Dental Association, and has been adding fluoride to the water for more than 30 years to reduce tooth decay and to promote public health.
More information on the new guidelines are available on the CDC’s Community Water Fluoridation webpage.
Facts on the water provided by the MWRA to Marblehead can be found on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority website.
Fun Games, Quizzes & Activities
We all use water in many ways, including for drinking, bathing, washing and watering our plants and lawns. But water is a limited resource. That is why it is vital that we all find ways to conserve water.
Kids play an important role in making sure that every drop counts. That’s why it is essential that we start teaching our children about water conservation at an early age. It is the youth of today who will make sure that there is enough water for everyone for many tomorrows to come.
Kids’ Corner offers fun activities and games to increase our children’s awareness about water conservation. (And we, as adults, could probably learn from these as well.)
Check back often as more activities will be added periodically.
- Test your water knowledge by taking a fun quiz from the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Kids Program.
- A math challenge to learn how much water can be saved by reducing showering time by just one minute.
- Did you know that the water in the raindrops that fall on you today is the same water that was falling on the dinosaurs millions of years ago?
- A lesson for both kids and adults
- Hopefully, your home will never have a water pipe burst during the winter months from freezing. If it does happen, do you know why a pipe can break when the water in it freezes?
Lead Testing of Drinking Water
The Marblehead Water and Sewer Commission is working with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and all schools in Marblehead to test water samples from drinking fountains and faucets used for drinking or food preparation in Marblehead’s schools.
As recommended by the MWRA, the schools followed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sampling protocol and collected first draw and 30-second flushed samples at all drinking water fountains, food and beverage preparation sinks and other sinks likely to be used for drinking water (nurses’ offices or teachers’ lounges). If any first draw sample result is above the lead Action Level of 15.5 ug/L (micrograms/liter) (15.5 parts per billion), the 30 second flush sample will be analyzed. First draw samples below the Action Level will have a 30-second flush sample completed.
The schools have acted quickly upon notice of samples that were above or close to the Action Level as per Mass Department of Environmental Protection guidelines. These faucets or bubblers have been replaced. The water has been retested and the results are now below the Action Level.
If you have a question concerning water quality or test results, contact the Water Department’s Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent at (781) 631-0102. If you have a question about the test locations or the actions being taken by the School Department for any of the public schools should a sample be above the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection guidelines, you should contact School Superintendent Maryann Perry at (781) 639-3140.
Homeowner Water Conservation Ideas
Did you know that a slow drip from the kitchen sink faucet can add up to 15 to 20 gallons of water a day? Did you know that two-thirds of the water used in an average home is used in the bathroom?
The drinking water provided to your home is carefully processed to produce a very safe, clean and dependable resource. This valuable asset should not be wasted needlessly. The conservation of this product not only saves water but also saves energy – energy that is needed to heat water and to run many of the appliances in your home.
Read the Water Conservation Ideas by the Marblehead Water & Sewer Commission for facts and suggestions.
Marblehead’s water distribution system has no recorded lead service lines. Read more here.
With Flint, Michigan in the news recently for high levels of lead in its drinking water, many local residents are wondering if the same thing could happen in Marblehead. Our water is supplied by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and MWRA’s water does not contain lead.
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority has issued a response to answer some of the many questions and concerns that have arisen because of the Flint incident. Read “What’s Happening in Flint’s Water System and How is MWRA Different” for more information.
Another MWRA publication, “What You Need to Know About Lead In Tap Water”, further explains how lead could get into your home’s water. And if you are still concerned, the MWRA has published a list of “Laboratories Certified for Lead Analysis in Drinking Water”.
Water Usage
Water usage is measured by your water meter. Water meters used in Marblehead measure usage in cubic feet and users are charged per 100 cubic feet. One hundred cubic feet equals approximately 748 gallons of water.
Your water meter is located inside the dwelling to protect it from freezing. It is suggested that the meter be insulated from drafts and cold air as additional protection. A frozen meter is the responsibility of the homeowner and is a billable cost.
Water Meters
Water meters are the property of the Marblehead Water & Sewer Commission and are governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 165, Section 11. It is prohibited for anyone other than Water & Sewer personnel to remove, replace, repair or otherwise disturb a water meter. Any meter damaged by frost or negligence shall be repaired or replaced by the water department at the property owner’s expense. It is the Commission’s intention to pursue violators to the fullest extent permitted.
Whoever unlawfully and intentionally injures, or suffers to be injured, a water meter belonging to a city, town, district, or company engaged in supplying water, or prevents such meter from duly registering the quantity of water supplied through it, or hinders or interferes with its proper action or just registration, or attaches a pipe to a main or pipe belonging to the city, town, district or water company, or otherwise uses or causes to be used the water supplied by a city, town, district or company without the consent of the same, unless it passes through a meter set by such city, town, district or company, shall be punished by a fine of triple the amount of damages sustained thereby or $1,000, whichever is greater or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Damages shall include the value of the water used and the cost of labor and equipment repair and replacement. (Mass. General Laws Chapter 165, Section 11).
The customer will be charged for all water passing through the meter whether used, wasted or lost by leakage. Delinquent accounts are subject to service termination. Unpaid water and sewer bills constitute a lien on real estate (Mass. General Laws Chapter 40, Sections 42A-42F).