DRINKING WATER VIOLATION

COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT DRINKING WATER VIOLATION DECEMBER 2011

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.

From 12/1/11 to 12/31/11 we took  twenty-one (21) samples to test for the presence of coliform bacteria. Four (4) of those samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria.  The standard  is that no more than one (1) sample 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 l (800) 426-4791.

What does this mean?

This is not an emergency.  If it had been you would have been notified immediately.  Total 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. Further testing shows that this

problem has been resolved.

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the 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.  If we had, we would have notified you immediately.

What happened?  What was done?

On 12/5/11seven (7) samples were taken and one came back positive for total coliform. On 12/7/11 a repeat sample with designated upstream and downstream locations were taken. All three (3) showed the presence of coliform.  The Department took the West Street tank off line and chlorinated it and began introducing chlorine into the system.  On 12/14/11 the Department took repeat samples at designated upstream and downstream locations.  All three (3) locations came back negative for total coliform.  On 12/19/11 eight (8) routine samples were taken.  All came back negative for total coliform .  We stopped adding chlorine on 1/20/12 after all samples taken in January came back negative for total coliform.

 

For more information, please contact Chris Wiseman at 508-428-2687 or at the Cotuit Water Department, located at 4300 Falmouth Road in Cotuit.

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 posted by the Cotuit Water Department, PWS #4020003, January 27, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

CHLORINE NOTICE

N OT I C E

 

AS OF FRIDAY, 1/20/12, THE WATER DEPARTMENT WILL NO LONGER BE ADDING CHLORINE TO THE WATER.  SOME PEOPLE MAY STILL NOTICE SOME RESIDUAL OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR  COOPERATION.

 

COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT

 

 

Water Commissioners Meeting Minutes of 12/15/11

 

12/15/11

The monthly meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held at the office at 5 PM with all members present except Mr. Barnicle. Superintendent Chris Wiseman and Prudential committee member Amy Kates were also present.

The November minutes were approved.

The warrants were signed.

Coliform testing results for November showed a number of coliform bacteria hits.  Some flushing was done and follow up samples were clean of coliform bacteria.

The following information was included in the Superintendent’s report:

PUMPAGE

November Pumpage          2011 –   8,197,000 2010 – 7,621,000

…………Two new services were installed in Cotuit Meadows and one service was replaced on School Street.

…………Painting repairs were completed at the Newtown Road tank.

…………GHD rep. Jim Fosdick did a walkover of the proposed water main extension to the Newtown Road tank.

Discussion continued on revising the personnel policy.

Discussion on the re-draft of the 671 Main Street easement was tabled as it has not been received yet.

Discussion on the solar power issue has ended at this time.

Discussion was tabled on the fiber optic issue until further contact from Open Cape.

Discussion was held on the increasing BOD levels at the Stratford Pond treatment facility.  The Board agreed to have the firm of Horsley Witten review the reports for the last six months and contact the association for a tour of the facility.

A letter from William Flynn, requesting relief on his water bill due to a toilet leak, was reviewed.  After much discussion, Mr. Calise made a motion to deny his request. The motion was seconded and voted unanimously.

The next meeting will be held on January 19, 2012 at 5:00 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m..

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Rick Kiely, Chairman

 

Agenda for January 19, 2012 Water Commissioners Meeting

COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT

BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS

MEETING DATE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 @ 5:00 pm

4300 FALMOUTH ROAD ( RTE. 28) COTUIT, MA

 

A G E N D A

 

1.  MINUTES

2.  WARRANTS

3.  WATER QUALITY

4.  SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

5.  OLD BUSINESS

a. 671 Main Street

b. Personnel policy

6.  NEW BUSINESS

a. 5:30 – Flynn

b. Mid-year budget status