Dear Water Customer,
We are pleased to present you with the 2022 Ashburnham Water Quality Report. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that utilities issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to customers in addition to other notices that may be required by law. This report provides information about where your water is drawn from, how it is processed, how to protect it, levels of any contaminant detected, compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regulations, cross connection control information and helpful definitions. Included in this report is a complete summary of all water quality testing done in the preceding year. The Ashburnham Water Department is committed to providing you with the safest drinking water and enough capacity to meet your demands.
Ashburnham’s drinking water comes from the Upper Naukeag Lake. The Upper Naukeag Lake is a shared water source that provides water to both the Town of Ashburnham and the Town of Winchendon. Water is pumped from the lake to the Ashburnham-Winchendon Joint Water Filtration Plant (PWS #2011004) which is located at 204 Lake Road in Ashburnham. Here, the water is clarified and filtered. Chemicals are added to aid in clarification, filtration, disinfection, and corrosion control. The pH of the water is controlled to prevent corrosion to your plumbing which can cause lead, copper, and other metals to enter your water through the deterioration of plumbing pipes. Phosphates (corrosion inhibitors) are also added to aid in plumbing and water main corrosion prevention.
Finally, fluoride is added to the water. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element in many water supplies in trace amounts. In our system, the AWJWA voted to lower the adjusted fluoride level to a daily average 0.7 part per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/l) to improve dental health in children. At this level, it is safe, odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Our water system has been providing this treatment since 1958. There are over 3.9 million people in 140 Massachusetts water systems and 184 million people in the United States who receive the health and economic benefits of fluoridation. Ashburnham streets of Ashburnham water customers with fluoride are listed at the end of this report.
From the water filtration plant the water is pumped into 53 miles of water transmission mains and into two water storage tanks. Combined capacity provides 1.5 million gallons of storage, which is equivalent to approximately 3 days capacity under normal water usage. The tanks are located on Cushing Street and on Rt. 101 about 4 miles south of the water plant. In 2022, the water plant produced an average of 245,000 gallons per day (GPD) with an annual total of 89.8 million gallons (MG) of water produced for Ashburnham residents. There are approximately 1,300 service connections to the system with over 270 fire hydrants in town.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, MassDEP and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
During 2022 the Water Department and the filtration plant tested your water for chlorine residual, turbidity (clarity), total trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, bacteria, volatile organic chemicals, inorganics, perchlorate, synthetic organic compounds, nitrate, and fluoride. The following test results were from monitoring performed during 2022 or the most recent sampling period for each contaminant group, as required by MassDEP. Only detected contaminants in finished water are shown.
Inorganic & Synthetic Organic Contaminants |
Dates Collected |
Highest Results or Average |
Range Detected |
MCL or MRDL |
MCLG or MRDLG |
Violation (Y/N) |
Possible Sources |
Nitrate (ppm) |
4/15/2022 |
ND |
-- |
10 |
10 |
N |
Runoff form fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits |
Barium (ppm) |
4/15/2022 |
0.004 |
-- |
2 |
2 |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Fluoride (ppm) |
Daily at treatment plant |
0.85 |
-- |
4* |
4 |
N |
Water additive which promotes strong teeth |
Arsenic (ppm) |
4/15/2022 |
ND |
-- |
10 |
-- |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Perchlorate (ppb) |
7/16/2020** |
0.1 |
-- |
2 |
-- |
N |
Rocket propellants, fireworks, munitions, blasting agents |
*Fluoride also has an SMCL (secondary MCL) of 2 ppm to better protect human health.
**Most of the data presented in this table is from testing done between January 1 – December 31, 2022. We monitor some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations for those contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. As a result, some of our data though representative is more than a year old.
Note: Our Customers on the Winchendon Line – finished water does not contain fluoride.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances |
Detect Result or Range |
Average |
MCL |
Violation |
Possible Sources |
Health Effects |
PFAS6 (ppt) |
ND to 20 |
ND |
20 |
N |
Discharges and emissions from industrial and manufacturing sources associated with the production or use of these PFAS, including production of moisture and oil resistant coatings on fabrics and other materials. Additional sources include the use and disposal of products containing these PFAS, such as fire-fighting foams. |
Some people who drink water containing these PFAS in excess of the ORSG may experience certain adverse effects. These could include effects on the liver, blood, immune system, thyroid, and fetal development. |
Disinfection does not sterilize the water; it removes harmful organisms. Ashburnham-Winchendon Water Filtration Plant uses sodium hypochlorite as its primary disinfectant. Chlorine destroys organisms by penetrating cell walls and reacting with enzymes. When combined with proper filtration, disinfection with chlorine has been proven effective at ensuring that water is free of harmful organisms and safe to drink.
Disinfection Contaminants |
Year |
Highest RAA* |
Range Detected |
MCL or MRDL |
MCLG or MRDLG |
Violation (Y/N) |
Possible Sources |
Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) - Sampled quarterly |
2022 |
50.5 |
30 - 62 |
80 |
-- |
N |
Byproduct of drinking water chlorination |
Haloacetic Acids (ppb) – Sampled quarterly |
2022 |
32* |
28 - 38 |
60 |
-- |
N |
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection |
Chlorine (ppm) – Sampled monthly |
2022 |
0.66 |
0.28 – 0.94 |
4 |
4 |
N |
Water additive used to control microbes |
*The running annual average (RAA) is the highest average of four consecutive quarters.
Bacteria |
Year |
Result |
MCL |
MRDL |
Violation (Y/N) |
Possible Source of Contamination |
Total Coliform Bacteria |
2022 |
None detected |
N/A |
N/A |
No |
Human and Animal Feces |
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. We begin by monitoring raw water turbidity, then we monitor turbidity after each filter, and finally we take a finished water sample. This tells us how much turbidity we are removing. At the treatment plant, turbidity is monitored continuously in addition to manual sampling each day to confirm that the in-line analyzers are monitoring correctly.
In 2022, the average turbidity in the water leaving the filtration plant was 0.06, Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) (see Important Definitions below) with a maximum of 0.10 NTU.
Turbidity |
Year |
TT |
Lowest Monthly % of Samples |
Highest Detected Daily Value |
Violation (Y/N) |
Possible Source of Contamination |
Daily Turbidity Compliance (NTU) |
2022 |
1 |
----- |
0.10 |
N |
Soil runoff |
Monthly Compliance* |
2022 |
At least 95% |
96% |
0.17 |
N |
Soil runoff |
*Monthly turbidity compliance is related to a specific treatment technique (TT). This treatment facility filters the water so at least 95% of our samples each month must be below the turbidity limits specified in the regulations.
Many drinking water sources in New England are naturally corrosive (i.e., they have a pH of less than 7.0) so, the water supply has a tendency to corrode and dissolve the metal piping it flows through. This not only damages pipes but can also add harmful metals, such as lead and copper, to the water. For this reason, it is beneficial to add chemicals that provide a protective pipe coating and make the water neutral or slightly alkaline.
This is done by adding combinations of water treatment chemicals. The Ashburnham-Winchendon Water Filtration Plant adds sodium poly-phosphate to its water. Sodium poly-phosphate is often referred to as an inhibitor and is what coats the inside of the pipe. It contains a small concentration of phosphate. Sodium carbonate (commonly known as soda ash) raises the water’s pH to a non-corrosive level. Testing throughout the water system has shown that this treatment has been effective at reducing lead and copper concentrations.
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Ashburnham Water Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Below are the results from the most recent two rounds of testing.
Lead and Copper |
Date Collected |
90th Percentile* |
Action Level (AL) |
MCLG |
# of sites sampled |
Exceeds Action Level (Y/N) |
# of sites above Action Level |
Possible Sources |
Lead (ppb) |
9/8/2022 |
0.0001
|
0.015 |
.015 |
20 |
N |
none |
Corrosion of household plumbing |
Copper (ppm) |
9/8/2022 |
0.043
|
1.3 |
1.3 |
20 |
N |
none |
Corrosion of household plumbing |
Unregulated contaminants are those for which the EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist the EPA in determining their occurrence in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted. Below are the results from the most recent round of testing. All detected substances did not exceed any Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL), or Action level.
Unregulated, VOC and Secondary Contaminants |
Date |
Amount Detected |
SMCL |
ORSG or Health Advisory |
Possible Sources |
Sodium (ppm) |
4/14/2022 |
11.4 |
-- |
20 |
Natural sources; runoff from road salt |
Nickel (ppm) |
4/15/2022 |
ND |
-- |
0.1 |
Discharge from domestic wastewater, landfills, and mining and smelting operations |
Chloroform (ppb) |
4/20/2022 |
7.1 |
-- |
-- |
--- |
Bromodichloromethane |
4/20/2022 |
1.4 |
-- |
-- |
--- |
Secondary Contaminants |
Date |
Result or Range Detected |
Average Detected |
SMCL |
ORSG or Health Advisory |
Possible Sources |
Manganese (ppb) |
4/16/2020 |
ND |
ND |
50 |
300* |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Iron |
4/16/2020 |
ND |
ND |
2 |
-- |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Radioactive Contaminants |
Date |
Amount Detected |
MCL |
Violation |
Possible Sources |
Gross Alpha (pCi/l) |
3/13/2019 |
0.9 |
15 |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Radium 226 & 228* |
4/29/2015 |
0.6 /0.2 pCI/L |
-- |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits |
*Next sampling due 2024
**Most of the data presented in this table is from testing done between January 1 – December 31, 2022. We monitor some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations for those contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. As a result, some of our data though representative is more than a year old.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances |
MCL ORSG |
Detect amount |
Possible Sources |
Health Effects |
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) |
* |
ND |
- |
- |
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) |
* |
1.27 |
- |
- |
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) |
20 |
ND |
- |
- |
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) |
* |
0.896 |
- |
- |
perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) |
20 |
ND |
- |
- |
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) |
* |
ND |
- |
- |
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) |
20 |
ND to 0.634 |
Discharges and emissions from industrial and manufacturing sources associated with the production or use of these PFAS, including production of moisture and oil resistant coatings on fabrics and other materials. Additional sources include the use and disposal of products containing these PFAS, such as fire-fighting foams. |
Some people who drink water containing these PFAS in excess of the ORSG may experience certain adverse effects. These could include effects on the liver, blood, immune system, thyroid, and fetal development. These PFAS may also elevate the risk of certain cancers |
* There is no ORS guideline.
90th Percentile: Out of every 10 homes sampled, 9 were at or below this level. This number is compared to the action level to determine lead and copper compliance.
Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system must follow.
Massachusetts Office of Research and Standards Guideline (ORSG): This is the concentration of a chemical in drinking water at or below which adverse health effects are unlikely to occur after chronic (lifetime) exposure, with a margin of safety. If exceeded, it serves as an indicator of the potential need for further action.
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below, which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
NTU: Nephelometric turbidity unit.
pCI/L: picocuries per liter
ppb: One part per billion, which also equals 1 microgram per liter(ug/L), is equivalent to one penny in $10 million dollars.
ppm: One part per million, which also equals 1 milligram per liter(mg/L), is equivalent to one drop in 10 gallons.
Running Annual Average (RAA): The average of four consecutive quarters of data.
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL): These standards are developed to protect the aesthetic quality of drinking water and are not health based.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Unregulated Contaminants: Contaminants for which there are no established EPA drinking water regulations.
Protecting our drinking water is crucial, whether it’s from pollution (rain run-off, improper disposal of hazardous materials or cross connection) or waste due to leaks from plumbing fixtures or corroded pipes. Massachusetts DEP has written a Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) report for Ashburnham’s water system. This includes potential contamination sources near Upper Naukeag Lake. This report assesses the susceptibility of the water system. Ashburnham was given a rating of “high” susceptibility due to land use in the area. It is important to understand that a release may never occur from the potential source of contamination provided facilities are using best management practices (BMPs). If BMPs are in place, the actual risk may be lower than the threat ranking. Many potential sources of contamination are regulated at the federal, state and/or local levels to further reduce the risk. Ashburnham’s SWAP report can be obtained at the Ashburnham Water Department office or online at https://www.mass.gov/doc/ashburnham-water-department-swap-report/download
Water conservation is another way to protect our drinking water by ensuring that we don’t diminish our resource. As much as 97% of the world’s water is saltwater, leaving 3% freshwater, two-thirds of which is stored as icecaps or glaciers. This leaves us 1% of the world’s water for drinking. Needless to say, water conservation will help us sustain our precious 1%. Here are a few ways to help out. Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back, when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. This saves 750-1,500 gallons per month. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. This saves three gallons each day. Set lawn mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass means less evaporation. This saves 500 to 1,500 gallons each month. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. This saves 750 to 1500 gallons per month.
Massachusetts drinking water regulations state that an approved public water supply may not be connected to an unapproved supply, such as a private well. Such a connection is considered an illegal cross connection. A cross connection is any connection between piping that carries drinking water (also known as potable) and the piping or fixtures that carry other types of water or substances that are not safe to drink (also known as non-potable). Ideally, it is best to not have any cross-connections, but in certain situations they are unavoidable. Examples include residential fire systems, wells or auxiliary water systems, lawn irrigation systems, boilers, swimming pools and hot tubs that are hard piped for filling purposes and even garden hoses.
A garden hose placed into a bucket could pose a backflow risk if a fire hydrant were operated in the water system. The drop in water pressure could cause the contents of the bucket to be drawn into the water system and possibly contaminate the drinking water. An unprotected cross-connection threatens the health and safety of individuals and may contaminate food or beverage products utilizing water from that system. To eliminate the potential for reverse flow back into the potable water supply, the Ashburnham Water Department recommends installing hose bibb vacuum breakers on your outside spigots so that water can only flow in one direction. These devices are small, inexpensive, and readily available from hardware stores.
The Ashburnham Water Department is located at the DPW Complex at 17 Central Street, Ashburnham, MA 01430. Our regular hours are Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If you have any questions about your drinking water or the information provided in this CCR, please contact us at 978-827-4120. Copies of this report are available online, at various locations throughout town, at the Town Offices & DPW Office and upon request.
The Ashburnham Water/Sewer Commission meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month in the lower-level meeting room of the Town Hall at 32 Main Street. The agendas for these meetings are posted on our website and in the Town Hall. The public is welcome to attend and participate.
George Cornwall: Chairman, Ashburnham Water-Sewer Commission
Jim Zarozinski: Ashburnham Water Department
Ashburnham Dept of Public Works
Ashburnham Water & Sewer
17 Central St/Rte 101, Ashburnham, MA 01430
Randy Williams, Superintendant
Brittany Woodhouse, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 978-827-4120
Fax ::: 978-827-4121
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-3pm
Ashburnham Municipal Grounds Dept.
8 Williams Rd, Ashburnham, MA 01430
Phone ::: 978-827-4122
Fax ::: 978-827-3236