What is being done to maintain the quality of my water?
The Acton water department regularly tests the water for pollutants that are more likely to be found. If
present these pollutants can easily be treated but have very acute effects if they come into contact with humans. The department
test for more serious pollutants every three years. If traces are found, efforts to rid the water of these pollutants are
started immidiatly.
The department tests water
to abide by the Safe Drinking Water Act. This act sets acceptable amounts of 100 different pollutant. Because it is pretty
much impossible to remove all pollutants from a water source, partly because it would cost too much. The act sets limits on
different contaminants including inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, radionuclides, and microorganisms.
The water department also adds traces
of floride into the water to help with dental health. It also prevents the lead and copper pipes from leaching bits
of metal into the water which would cause minor health issues.
All Acton's 9 wells have equipment that prevents
VOC's (Volatile organic chemicals) from entering the water supply. VOC's will cause liver and kidney damage. This is
just a precaution however, because only a few of the wells have even been in contact with VOC's.
Examples of VOC's-
1) paint
thinner
2)
varnishes
3) fuel additives
Other chemicals that occur commonly in water are chloride, iron, sulfate, but these only change the water's
color of taste. They do not have any health risks.
