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Leominster Department of Public Works
Water Division
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Showed Coliform Bacteria in Leominster Water System

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor for drinking water contaminants. We collected 83 samples to test for the presence of coliform bacteria during August, 2008. 15 of our samples (18 %) showed the presence of total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than 5% of samples may do so.

What should I do?

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.

What does this mean?

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the system’s treatment or distribution system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing, and further testing shows that this problem has been resolved.

What happened? What was done?

During routine testing two of fifteen sites were found to be positive for coliform bacteria. Although coliform bacteria are generally harmless, several additional samples were taken as follow up, which confirmed the presence of coliform. Chlorine disinfection was increased at the treatment plant, and the higher chlorine residual was flushed through the system. Since taking these corrective actions, we collected a total of 36 samples from the water system through the end of August. The results show that the corrective actions we took were effective; coliform was not found in any of the samples. This Department will continue to collect at least 15 samples per week from the water system.

For more information, please contact Charles Reed at the Leominster Water Department at 978-534-7590, ext. 517 or 109 Graham St., Leominster MA 01453.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by: PWS ID#: 2153000 Date distributed: 9-24-2008 Leominster Water Division.
 
2006 PARTNERSHIP SUMMERY City of Leominster, Ma. Water Treatment Facilities
2007 Annual Drinking Water report
 
WATER CONNECTION CHARGES AS OF August 13, 2007

All individual domestic units, including apartment and condominium units, within the city will be charged two thousand five hundred dollars per dwelling unit. This will serve as a connection and inspection fee that is valid through the last day of the year in which the permit was issued. All commercial and industrial construction will be charged according to the following schedule:
 
In LEOMINSTER  
SIZE SERVICE                        TOTAL
1” $ 2,500
1 ˝” $ 3,000
2” $ 3,500
4” $ 5,000
6” $ 7,500
OVER 6” $10,000
OUT OF CITY  
1” $ 3,500
1 ˝” $ 4,000
2” $ 4,750
4” $ 6,750
6” $10,000
OVER 6” $13,500

WATER/SEWER RATES

Leominster: Water: $2.35 Sewer $1.70 = $3.85
Out of Town: Water $3.15 Sewer $4.00 = $6.35
 
Leominster Water Department
Tips for Saving Water - Indoors and Outdoors

OUTDOOR WATER USE
 
No Water Or No more than 1 Inch a week
Most lawns can survive extended dry periods without watering – they will turn brown, but will revive once the rain returns. If you want to water, give established lawns and shrubs a maximum of one inch of water per week. If there has been an inch of rain in the week, you don’t need to water. Use an inexpensive rain gauge to measure rain and watering efforts.
 
Abide by local water use restrictions
Local water suppliers know the limits of their system and will enact voluntary or mandatory restrictions accordingly. Always follow the advice or restrictions provided by your local water supplier.
Stop watering your lawn during drought conditions
Most lawns can survive extended dry periods without watering – they will turn brown, but will revive once the rain returns.
If you water your lawn, water only as needed
Frequent light watering can actually weaken your lawn by encouraging shallow roots that are less tolerant of dry periods. Water your lawn only as needed, generally no more than once or twice a week. A good test is to walk across the lawn. If the grass springs back up, it does not need to be watered.
Timing is critical for lawn watering
The best time to water your lawn is early morning (4 to 6 AM). Avoid watering at mid-day to prevent high evaporation and sun-burned grass.
Use shut-off nozzles on hoses and automatic shut-off devices on irrigation systems.
Unattended hoses can use 10 gallons or more per minute. Use shut-off nozzles to save water. Also, if you have an in-ground irrigation system, use a rain shut-off device that prevents the system from operating during rainstorms.
Capture and reuse rainwater
Use cisterns or rain barrels to capture rainwater from downspouts for use in your yard. A lid, mesh fabric or several drops of baby oil on the surface will prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Keep your blades sharp and high
Keep you mower blades sharp to prevent tearing of grass and raise your lawn mower's blade to 2 1/2". Longer grass provides shade for the roots and helps reduce water loss.
Use plants that need less water
There are many varieties of low water use plants that can withstand dry summers and that actually thrive in drier soil.
Plan and design your garden for efficient outdoor watering
Be aware of the various shade and moistures zones in your yard and plan your gardens and plantings accordingly.
Mulch to keep roots cool and moist
Mulch can serve as a ground cover that reduces water evaporation from the soil while reducing the number of weeds that compete for soil moisture.
 
KITCHEN
Prepare food efficiently
Speed cleaning food by using a vegetable brush. Spray water in short bursts. Faucet aerators cut consumption.
Defrost sensibly
Plan ahead to defrost foods overnight in the refrigerator. Don’t use running water. Use the microwave or put wrapped food in a bowl of cold water.
Reduce dishwashing
Use rubber spatula to scrape dishes clean to limit pre-rinse. Let really dirty pans or dishes soak to speed washing. Most new dishwashers don't require pre-rinsing. Limit dishwasher use to full loads.
Reuse clean household water
Collect all the water that is wasted while waiting for the hot water to reach your faucet or showerhead. Use this to water your houseplants or outdoor planters. Do the same with water that is used to boil eggs or steam vegetables.
Garbage disposal alternatives
Avoid using your garbage disposal. Compost leftovers fruits and vegetables.
 
BATHROOM
 
SIMPLE TEST FOR YOUR SHOWER
Hold a bucket underneath your showerhead for 20 seconds.
If more than one gallon accumulates, you need a water efficient showerhead.
 
Fix leaking faucets and toilets
Research has shown that an average of 8% (or more) of all home water use is wasted through leaks. Test for a leaking toilet by lifting the lid off the toilet tank and putting a few drops of food coloring into the bowl. Wait a few minutes, and then look in the bowl. If the food coloring has made its way there, you have a leak.
Install a low-flow toilet
Low-flow toilets need only 1.6 gallons per flush, saving thousands of gallons per year. Unlike earlier models, low flow toilets available today receive high marks from consumers for overall performance.
Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket
Every flush you eliminate can save between two and seven gallons of water.
Brush teeth efficiently
Don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth or shave. Turn the faucet on briefly to rinse. An electric razor saves water.
Conserve water in the tub
Take showers instead of a bath and save 30 gallons. Filling the bathtub uses about 50 gallons of water. Try filling it just half way.
Shorten your shower by one minute
Cut back on your shower time and you will rack up big savings in water and energy. If you really want to try and save water, limit your shower time to five minutes or less. Also, install a water-saving showerhead that uses two-and-a-half gallons per minute.
 
LAUNDRY
 
Wash only full loads of laundry
You'll not only save water, but energy as well.
Consider purchasing a new water- and energy- efficient clothes washer
Look for the Energy Star labeled products and save more water in one year than a person drinks in a lifetime. These units create less wear and tear on clothes, clean better, and use less detergent. Some electric utilities offer rebates for qualified models.
 
WATER CONSERVATION ON THE WEB

MWRA - www.mwra.state.ma.us/water/html/wat.htm
 
Danvers - www.danvers-ma.org/midpond.htm
 
Concord, MA - www.concordnet.org/dpw/index.html
 
AWWA - www.waterwiser.org/
 
EPA’s EnergyStar Program - www.energystar.gov/
 
New York City - www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dep/html/hcisw.html
 
North Andover - www.northandoverwaterdept.com/Water%20Conservation.htm
 
DEP Model Water Use Restriction Bylaw/Ordinance -www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/dws/files/wmabylaw.pdf