NOTICE

COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT    DRINKING WATER VIOLATION     DECEMBER 2013

                   

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 12/1/13 to 12/16/13 we took twenty-four (24) samples to test for the presence of coliform bacteria. Three (3) 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.

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. Further testing shows that this problem has been resolved.

What happened?  What was done?

On 12/1/13 seven (7) samples were taken and one (1) came back positive for total coliform.  On 12/3/13 repeat samples were taken at that location and at alternate up and designated downstream locations.  Two (2) repeat samples came back positive for total coliform.  On 12/6/13, the chlorination process was started.  On 12/6/13 repeat samples were taken at the same three (3) locations and all came back absent of coliform.  Chlorination will continue until further notice.

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,  on December 27, 2013.

 

 

 

 

Agenda for Water Commissioner’s 12/26/13 Meeting

     COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT          BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS 

     MEETING DATE: Thursday, December 26, 2013    FREEDOM HALL     976 MAIN ST.    COTUIT, MA

A G E N D A

1. MINUTES

2. WARRANTS

3. WATER QUALITY

4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

5. OLD BUSINESS

a.  Open Cape

b.  Security system

c.  West Street tank

6.  NEW BUSINESS

a.  5:30 – Leo Yuskus

NOTICE

                                                                          NOTICE TO COTUIT RESIDENTS


Please be advised that beginning Tuesday, 12/10/13, the Cotuit Water Department resumed adding small amounts of chlorine to the water supply (.1 to .2 parts per million) due to the detection of total coliform in samples taken on 12/2/13 and 12/4/13.  Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present.  Usually coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment of 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.

   We advise aquarium owners and users of kidney dialysis machines to treat or filter the water before use.  Low levels of chlorine and a slight discoloration may be detected in the water. We have been in contact with the Department of Environmental Protection and will continue to investigate the cause of these detections. We will inform you via the District’s website (cotuitfiredistrict.org.) of any new information.

Thank you.

Cotuit Water Department

TO COTUIT RESIDENTS

NOTICE

 

AS OF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND,  THE WATER DEPARTMENT STOPPED ADDING CHLORINE TO THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

YOU MAY STILL DETECT AN ODOR OR TASTE BUT THIS SHOULD SUBSIDE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND PATIENCE DURING THIS TIME.

COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT

MINUTES OF WATER COMMISSIONER’S 10/17/13 MEETING

10/17/13

 

The monthly meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held at Freedom Hall at 5 PM with all members present.  Superintendent Chris Wiseman was also present.

The September minutes were approved.

The warrants were signed.

There were three (3) coliform bacteria detections and one (1) E.coli detection in September, which prompted a water boil order.  Chlorination began immediately and is on-going.

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

PUMPAGE

September Pumpage            2013 – 24,471,000         2012 –  22,147,000

……………There was one leak repair on Popponesset Road.

……………We are still waiting for the structural report on the Main Street tank.

……………The engineering firm of Horsley Witten is conducting sampling at various levels at the new monitoring well located at Station #5.

The Board discussed the proposed fiber optics installation in conjunction with the planned revision of the security system and the revised contract that will be arriving from Open Cape Fiber Optics.

Discussion continued on the West Street painting and rehabilitation project.

The bid opening for the 2005 Chevy truck was held today at 2:00 pm.  J.W. Dubuis & Sons won the bid to purchase the vehicle with the price of $9,250.00.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, 2013.

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm..

 

Respectfully submitted,

Frederick Kiely, Chairman

Cc: Prudential Committee

 

 

 

 

 

Water Commissioner’s Agenda for 11/20/13 Meeting

                                  COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT     BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS 

                                               MEETING DATE: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 @ 5 PM

                                                       FREEDOM HALL      976 MAIN ST.    COTUIT, MA

A G E N D A

 1. MINUTES

2. WARRANTS

3. WATER QUALITY

4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

5. OLD BUSINESS

a.  Open Cape

b.  Security system

c.  West Street tank

6.  NEW BUSINESS

a.  5:30 – Tom Lee/Horsley Witten

b.  6:00 –  Leo Yuskus/Haley & Ward

c.  By-laws

 

Minutes from Water Commissioners 9/26/13 Meeting

9/26/13

 

The monthly meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held at Freedom Hall at 5 PM with all members present.  Superintendent Chris Wiseman was also present.

The August minutes were approved.

The warrants were signed.

There were no coliform bacteria detections and no MTBE detections for the month of August.

At 5:30 Sean O’Brien, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the Town of Barnstable and Dan Vortherms, representative for Open Cape Fiber Optics arrived to continue discussion on the part they will play in restructuring our security system. After much discussion, they departed at 6:45.

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

PUMPAGE        AUGUST        2013      32,262,000             2012  -27,701,000

 

……………There was one water replacement service and one water relocation service.

……………The Town’s Main Street Extension project has begun, but

they are unable to provide us with a 75% plan as yet.

……………The Main Street tank has been cleaned and inspected and is back on line.  The structural engineer is awaiting pictures before he prepares his report on the condition of the tank.

……………The new truck has arrived.  The 2005 truck will be bid out with a planned bid opening on 10/17/13.

……………The new monitoring wells have been installed near Station #5.

Discussion on the new security system was tabled until the October meeting when new information will be available from Weston & Sampson.

The Board reviewed Haley & Ward’s price estimates for the West Street painting project.

The Board agreed to terminate the water conservation program for this year.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 17, 2013.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm..

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Frederick Kiely, Chairman

Cc: Prudential Committee

 

CHLORINATION UPDATE -10/17/13

                                CHLORINATION UPDATE____________

 

We are continuing to chlorinate the system until certain chlorine

residuals have been attained. At this time we cannot determine when

the chlorination process will end. If you detect a very strong odor or

taste, do not hesitate to contact us and we will address your situation.

 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Agenda for Water Commissioners 10/17/13 Meeting

                       COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT

               BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS 

      MEETING DATE: Thursday, October 17, 2013 @ 5 PM


                                         FREEDOM HALL

                            976 MAIN ST.    COTUIT, MA

A G E N D A

 

 1. MINUTES

2. WARRANTS

3. WATER QUALITY

4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

5. OLD BUSINESS

a.  Open Cape

b.  Security system

c.  West Street tank

6.  NEW BUSINESS

 

 

NOTICE

                                                      NOTICE______________________

 

THE WATER DEPARTMENT OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2013 TO OBSERVE COLUMBUS DAY.