Wayland Releases 2015 Water Quality Report: How Safe is the Water?

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland released its annual water quality report Wednesday and it looks as though residents have nothing to fear. So don't be afraid go grab a glass of crisp, clean water.

The study shows that when it comes to testing for regulated and secondary substances in tap water, Wayland had no violations.

Water quality became an issue of national concern this year when it was announced that corrosive water in Flint, Michigan had been contaminated with lead.

Here's 5 things to know about the Flint Water Crisis

The annual water quality report even addresses the failure in Flint with its own section seeking to explain some of the confusion over water safety concerns.

The Wayland Department of Works Water Devision operate eight wells: Campbell Well, Chamberlain Well, Meadowview Well, Happy Hollow No. 1, Happy Hollow No. 2, Baldwin Pond No. 1, Baldwin Pond No. 2 and Baldwin Pond No. 3.

Here are the sampling results for regulated substances in Wayland Water:

Chlorine

• Year sampled: 2015
• Amount detected: 1.2 ppm
• Range low-high: 0.8-1.2 ppm
• Violation: No

Haloacetic Acids

• Year sampled: 2015
• Amount detected: 13.2 ppb
• Range low-high: 1.09–82.3 ppb
• Violation: No

Nitrate

• Year sampled: 2015
• Amount detected: 2.5 ppm
• Range low-high: 1.2–2.5 ppm
• Violation: No

Total Trihalomethanes

• Year sampled: 2015
• Amount detected: 29.5 ppb
• Range low-high: 12.2–82.2 ppb
• Violation: No

Copper

• Year sampled: 2014
• Action level: 1.3 ppm
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: 1.3 ppm
• Amount detected (90th percentile): .026 ppm
• Sites above action level/total sites: 0/55
• Violation: No

Lead

• Year sampled: 2014
• Action level: 15 ppb
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: 0 ppb
• Amount detected (9th percentile): 3 ppb
• Sites above action level/total sites: 0/55
• Violation: No

Definitions for values used in report:

90th Percentile: Out of every 10 homes sampled, 9 were at or below this level.

AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): 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.