New Bedford Water Supply Ponds

New Bedford’s Water Source and Quality

Michael Silvia
by Michael Silvia

There is nothing more essential to the human body than water.  Water comprises roughly 60% of our bodies, and while humans can survive weeks without food and shelter, we can’t survive more than a few days without water.  While water is the most important resource for human survival, most New Bedford residents take their water source for granted.  Do you know where New Bedford gets its water? Do you know the water quality and health risks?

Recently, the city of New Bedford produced a City of New Bedford 2010 Water Quality Report and made printed copies available in the post offices and other government buildings around the city.  The document is a snoozer, so I thought I’d share my thoughts on the document and provide some important health tips.

New Bedford Water Supply
Our water comes from five ponds in Freetown, Lakeville and Middleboro.

Where does our H2O com from?

First, let’s start with the basics.  All New Bedford drinking water comes from five local ponds.  It is stored at Little Quittacas Pond and is treated at the Quittacas Water Treatment Plant.  The five primary pond sources are Little Quittacas Pond (pre-treatment), Great Quittacas, Pocksha, Assawampsett and Long Pond from the towns of Freetown, Lakeville and Middleboro.  If you have friends that live in these towns, thank them because they provide the water you drink and use to take a morning shower!

Health Risks

From my Air Force Survival School training, I learned some important facts about consuming water.  As a general rule, rain water is safe to drink, but water from rivers, lakes and ponds is not safe to drink unless treated.  In a survival situation, you can use iodine to treat water before consumption, but in cities and towns we have water treatment facilities that transform non-drinkable pond water into the tap water you drink daily.

The primary short and long-term health risks to a thirsty population are microbiological pathogens, chemicals, radioactivity and lead.  While water sits in ponds, viruses, bacteria, minerals, pesticides, chemicals and other harmful agents build up from nature and human activity.  If left untreated, our water supply could cause some series health risks.  On a negative note, the use of chemicals to treat our water can also cause adverse health risks like organ damage, birth defects and cancer.

Water Quality Analysis Results

Here is what the city of New Bedford found in our water sources from testing in 2009 and 2010.  Of note, on average, the contaminates met national standards.

  • Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acid – these are by-products of drinking water chlorination. Long-term, high-level consumption can cause health issues with liver, kidney and central nervous systems with an increased risk of cancer.
  • Turbidity (or cloudiness of water) – from soil run-off.
  • Chlorine Residual – disinfectant.
  • Sodium – by-Product of Corrosion control. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection maintains a guideline of 20 parts-per-million (PPM) and New Bedford levels were at 30 PPM, or 50% higher.
  • Coliform – naturally present in the environment.
  • Nitrates – from fertilizer usage, septic tanks, sewage, etc.
  • Flouride – from nature and added by the governments for stronger teeth.
  • Nitrosodimethylamine – unregulated, and comes from multiple sources.
  • Lead and Copper – mostly from household plumbing.

How did New Bedford Score?

If I had to rate the New Bedford water source on a grade-school scale, I would give it an A minus. The report shows that most of these contaminants detected were well below the “Maximum Contaminate level” or MCL, which means the health risks are minimal. The only contaminant that broke the MCL was Sodium and that was 50% higher than Massachusetts guidelines.  Additionally, there is no way for local government to test everyone’s plumbing for levels of lead and copper, which can cause serious health risks, especially for pregnant women and children.

What can you do?

First, I suggest calling the New Bedford Department of Infrastructure, Water Division (508-763-2231) and ask what is being done about the high levels of sodium in our water supply. While sodium is an essential nutrient, too much can have negative health consequences, especially in people 50 and older.

While you are at it, ask the Water Division why Nitrosodimethylamine (say that three times fast!) is unregulated and what can be done to remove it from our water supply. Let’s not wait for someone to tell us it is bad five years from now! Finally, I suggest having your tap water tested for levels of lead and copper, especially if you are pregnant and/or have children in the house.

Water Drinking Tips

Here are some tips for drinking the healthiest water in New Bedford.

  • If you drink from the tap, let the water run for 1-2 minutes before usage.  This will flush out most of the lead that settles in your pipes.
  • Spend the money and get a water filter system!
  • Have your water tested. Contact the New Bedford Department of Infrastructure, Water Division (508-763-2231) for assistance.

Important Links/Resources

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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One comment

  1. Douglas Rounseville

    You need to update your article to include the town of Rochester, which is where the treatment plant resides.

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