Reading Water Report Says Water Quality is Excellent

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) recently announced that the 2011 Annual Water Quality Report is online and has been mailed to homes. The water quality test results are above average.

The tests from 2011 meet federal and state drinking water standards. The water tested did not have traces of pharmaceuticals or lead, however lead is still able to get into water due to brass water fixtures or plumbing. The report, which is available online, gives information on how to prevent lead from getting in your drinking water.

“The report is essentially a nutrition label for your drinking water, and the news is good,” said MWRA Executive Director Fred Laskey in a press release. 

According to the MWRA's website, alongside the Reading Water Department, they test up to 500 samples of water every week, and for over 120 contaminants each year.

Reading used 597.2 million gallons of water in 2011, according to the Department of Public Works (DPW). The average daily usage was 1.64 million gallons.

Below is a list of the compounds detected in the drinking water in 2011:

Still have questions about the water quality? Contact the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline by calling 800-426-4791 or visit their website. Here is an article about the water rates.