Fluoride
-
Fluoride is added to drinking water to help prevent
tooth decay. There is minimal naturally occurring
fluoride in our water, therefore we add a small
amount to meet the EPA, American Medical Association,
and American Dental Association recommended levels.
Lead
- There is no significant amount of lead in the
water as it leaves MAWSS' Stickney and Myers Filtration
Plants. On occasion, samples collected at taps from
within customers' homes with lead plumbing or copper
plumbing with lead soldered joints did show elevated
lead levels. The source of the lead would be household
plumbing devices, which leach lead into the water
under corrosive conditions. In response to this,
we have a corrosion control program which has reduced
lead levels to almost zero in most homes. We also
maintain an extensive monitoring program of customers'
homes.
Microbial
Testing - The daily tests we perform at the
treatment plants and on the distribution system
look for indicator organisms called Coliform
Bacteria. These are harmless bacteria, but if
they are detected there may be a potential for harmful
(pathogenic) organisms to be present. We collect
over 150 bacterial samples per month throughout
our service area to ensure the water is as safe
when it arrives at your home as it is when it leaves
the drinking water treatment plant.
