2009 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT RELEASED
CLICK HERE

ADOBE READER REQUIRED

WATER QUALITY

         The water in the system is tested continuously for many parameters.  The enclosed annual water quality report has a summary of components for which the water is tested. 

            The sources of water are classified as a ground water supply since we use well fields to obtain the supply.  The WWC also owns and manages 5 reservoirs which we use to recharge the ground water as we withdraw water for production purposes.  As the surface water passes through the earth, nature removes the undesirable components and the water is purified.

The water is treated at the well house with chlorine, potassium hydroxide and poly phosphates.  The chlorine is added as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the water should a problem develop. The chlorine is added for the same reason we wear seat belts in our automobiles; we do not expect to be in a car crash, but if we are, there is an added layer of protection.  Potassium hydroxide is added to raise the pH of the water so the water will be less corrosive.  Poly phosphate is also added to reduce the naturally occurring corrosive effects of all waters. 

The reason we take measures to reduce the naturally corrosive nature of water is to reduce the number of leaks in metal piping in the street as well as your residence and to reduce the potential levels of lead and copper.

Please review the annual water quality report for more information on the routine testing of the water supply.

IRON IN THE WATER

The water we obtain from our well field in Sutton is crystal clear and totally free of iron.  The majority of our water comes from the Sutton well field.  The secondary well field, known as the Whitin Well field, is located on the north shore of Meadow Pond.  It is the Whitin well field which has naturally occurring iron in the water.

Most of the year, the Whitin well field is used sparingly and the water supply is basically free of iron.  However, in the summer months when lawn water increases the demand on the system, it becomes necessary to use the Whitin well field to meet the demand.  As such, a greater percentage of the all the water produced will then be influenced by the iron from the Whitin wells.

Iron, at the levels in the water from the Whitin wells has no adverse health effects.  Iron is purely an aesthetic problem in our system.  Iron is a colorless element when initially found in ground water.  It is only when it is exposed to an oxygen molecule that it is converted to a solid and a visible form (i.e. rust).  We sequester the iron in the water at the Whitin wells using a poly phosphate.  Sequestering means we encapsulate the iron molecule in an effort to prevent an oxygen molecule from chemically combining with the iron.  The process helps the situation but it has its limitations.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF IRON

The majority of problems associated with iron involve the hot water system.  Heat is an enzyme to any chemical reaction.  When water with iron enters a hot water tank, the heat will encourage the oxygen in the water to bond with the sequestered iron molecule to form the rust we then can see.

In an effort to reduce the build up of rust, you should periodically flush the hot water system.  This will not only reduce the iron in the water at times, it will also improve the heating efficiency of the system.  Simple run a hose to waste from the spigot on the hot water system until the water clears.  You may also simply place a 5 gallon bucket and run the water until it clears.  Do this every six months and you can reduce the concerns associated with iron in the water.

You may also choose to install a simple “cartridge type” filter on the water pipe as the water enters the house.  This type of filter will remove naturally occurring sediment in the water and is easy to maintain.  The installation will only require some simple plumbing and the cost to maintain the system is inexpensive and can be done by anyone.

If a company ever tries to sell you a water softener or a chemically involved treatment system, you will be wasting your money. 

If you have stained fixtures or clothes due to iron in the water, you may wish to become familiar with commercial products which are designed to remove iron stains such as “iron out” or “red-B gone”.  

REGARDING DISCOLORATION OF WATER
 

                The reason that the water can be discolored at times is due to the fact there is naturally occurring iron in the water which originates from the well field located on the shores of Meadow Pond.   The most important variable associated with iron is that it has no adverse health effects at the levels found in drinking water.  However, iron does cause aesthetic problems which is the basis for your understandable concern.

               Iron, as it is withdrawn from the groundwater, is in a liquid form and is colorless.  It is only when the iron molecule is exposed to an oxygen molecule that it turns to iron oxide ( rust) and it is now visible.  We treat the water at the source ( well field) by using a process which encapsulates the iron molecule so that the oxygen molecule cannot combine with the iron.  The treatment improves the water quality, however, the treatment process is not 100% effective. 

                Fortunately, we also have a well field in Sutton where the majority of our water comes from and is blended with the water we obtain from the well field on the banks of Meadow Pond.  The water from Sutton is totally free of iron and is crystal clear.  The combination of the two waters produces a water that is generally quite good.  However, the accumulation of the iron in the water mains and hot water tanks does cause the discolored water on those occasions when disturbance of the mains or hot water tanks occur.

HELPFUL ADVICE

        The following are some measures that each homeowner can take which will reduce the adverse aesthetic effects of the iron in the water:

1. FLUSH THE HOT WATER TANK -  The majority of concerns associated with the discolored water are associated with hot water.  This is due to the fact that heat is an enzyme to any chemical reaction and the heat converts the liquid iron to the solid iron which we can then see.  Every few months, flush the hot water tank by opening the spigot and running water to waste through a hose or into a bucket until the water clears.  This will remove the accumulated iron from the bottom of the hot water tank which will help to keep the water clear while also improving the heating efficiency.   

2. USE IRON OUT OR EQUIVALENT – Become familiar with the product called Iron Out which is used to clean iron stains or remove stains from clothes.  Iron out is available at most hardware stores.  There are also other products which are designed to reduce the effects of iron.

3. INSTALL A CARTRIDGE TYPE FILTER – There is a simple “cartridge type” filter that can be installed on the water line as it enters the house for a very reasonable cost.  The maintenance of the simple filters is very easy and very inexpensive.  The initial installation can be accomplished for approximately $55.00 in parts and then some time to put the plumbing together.  The cartridges remove some of the iron if it is already in the solid form.

There is no justification for a water softener type filter or a filter system which uses any chemicals in the process of treating the water.  Please do not waste your money should anyone try to sell you such a filter.