Rowley Water Department

Official Website

2025 Hydrant Flushing Notice

by

The Rowley Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants as part of our program to improve water quality. Flushing will begin on Monday April 7 t ., and continue until completion. Customers may experience some discoloration in the water. This will clear in a day or so. Delay washing laundry until your water clears. Do NOT use bleach to remove stains in your laundry. Bleach will set stains caused by iron in our water. Rewashing is the best solution. Please plan accordingly, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

Please call customer service with any questions or concerns, 978-948-2640.

What could I expect before and after flushing?

  • If tap water is used during flushing, it could appear discolored and contain sediment. If you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting, check the clarity by running cold water for a few minutes allowing new water to work its way into your pipes. If the water is clear, it’s OK to use. If not, wait a few more minutes and check again. In some cases, there may be slight discoloration for a few hours. The discoloration only affects the appearance of the water; it does not affect the taste or water quality.
  • The water may also have a milky appearance. This is due to tiny air bubbles that will dissipate out and is not harmful.
  • Avoid washing laundry during scheduled flushing times. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap, then wash a load of dark clothes first.  Hot water tanks can hold discolored water for some time after the cold water runs clear.
  • If pressure or volume seems low, check your faucet screens for trapped particles. There may be a temporary drop in water pressure.
  • Flush your hot water tanks by running the hot water tap for a few minutes after the cold-water clears.
  • You may notice a more pronounced chlorine taste or odor in the water during springtime flushing. This is because free chlorine has a more noticeable taste and odor. This will dissipate when water is left in an open container in the refrigerator. Allowing water to sit in a glass for a moment will also take care of air bubbles that are stirred up during flushing and cause a milky appearance.

Rowley Water Department Reports Elevated Levels of PFAS Detected in Water Sample

by

Residents Encouraged to Review Educational Resources

ROWLEY — The Rowley Water Department reports that water tested from Well #2 has shown slightly elevated levels of a regulated group of chemicals called PFAS.

 

The current regulations for PFAS public drinking water standard or Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), as published in 2020 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L) or 20 parts per trillion (ppt).

 

During routine testing, Rowley Water Well #2 had a quarterly test result of 23 ppt, which is slightly above MassDEP’s standards.

 

PFAS is found in nearly all public water supplies across the country. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made and do not break down quickly. Scientific research on the adverse impact of PFAS on public health is evolving.

 

At this time Well #2, located on Haverhill Street, has been shut down and taken out of service until PFAS levels can be reduced to the current standard. Rowley's Water Treatment Plant has not been affected and is currently testing well below the standard 20 ppt. Test results for other wells, Wells #3 and #5 are well below both the current and future MCL.

 

The Rowley Water District will aggressively monitor and test the wells in town. The town is investigating long-term treatment options to reduce PFAS levels in the water supply.

What are PFAS?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS and GenX chemicals. These chemicals have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe since the 1940s for stain-resistant, water-resistant and non-stick products.

These chemicals are often found in drinking water, but people are also exposed to the chemicals through consumer products and food. While the chemicals are often found in the environment and human body, prolonged exposure to certain PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a new limit of 4 parts per trillion that will be enforced and reported to the public as of 2027. This regulation would cover four additional PFAS compounds.

 

Recent studies indicate that people with long-term exposure to high levels of PFAS may experience potential health effects, including liver, blood, thyroid, fetal development and immune systems effects. Exposure to high levels of PFAS also may elevate the risk of certain cancers.

Drinking water can be a source of exposure in communities where these chemicals have contaminated water supplies. Such contamination is typically localized and associated with a specific facility, for example:

  • an industrial facility where PFAS were produced or used to manufacture other products, or
  • locations where firefighting foam was used such as oil refineries, airfields or other training facilities for firefighters

More information about PFAS may be found at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website.

 

For questions or additional information please contact the Rowley Water Department Superintendent Operator Rob Swiniarski’s at 978-948-2640 or rob@rowleywater.com.

 

Rowley Water Reports Mandatory Water Use Restriction In Effect

by

ROWLEY — The Rowley Water Department reports that there is a mandatory water use restriction in effect.

The water use restriction went into effect on Tuesday, June 18 due to Parker River dropping below the standard regulations of 20cfs for three consecutive days. There will be no non-essential outside watering from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days per week until further notice.

Rowley Water would like to share the following water use regulation information from the MassDEP Water Management Program (WMA):

Water can be used when:

  • Health or safety is a factor – this includes long-established uses like fire-fighting and municipal pipe flushing to prevent contaminants in water supply pipes, as well as:
    • Public facilities used for cooling such as splash pads and swimming pools, and;
    • For washing boats, engines, or marine equipment to prevent negative saltwater impacts or the transfer of invasive aquatic species;
  • By permit, license, statute, or regulation;
  • For the production of food, including privately owned home vegetable gardens, and fiber;
  • For maintenance of livestock;
  • To meet the core functions (those functions essential to the commercial operations) of a business, such as;
    • Plant nurseries to maintain stock;
    • Golf courses to maintain greens and tees, and limited fairway watering (this is further described in 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c)2.a. through c. of the regulations);
    • Venues used for weddings or similar special events that limit watering to hand-held hose or drip irrigation to maintain gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants;
    • Professional washing of building exteriors, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or cement in the course of construction, reconstruction, or renovation work;
  • To irrigate public parks before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.;
  • To irrigate public and private recreation fields, including those operated by schools, colleges, universities, and athletic associations, before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.;
  • To irrigate publicly funded shade trees and trees in the public right-of-way; or
  • To establish a new lawn to stabilize soil after new construction or repair/replacement of a Title 5 system.

Rowley Water apologizes for any inconvenience and thanks the community for its cooperation.

For additional questions, please call Rowley Water at 978-948-2640.

 

###

Water Service Line Material Inventory

by

The Town of Rowley Water Department is in the process of creating a materials inventory of all water service lines in the Town. Service lines are the pipes that connect the water main in the
street with the pipes in your home. The Town’s water service line inventory is a requirement of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Revised Lead and Copper Rule. The Town has received a Drinking Water Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. This has allowed the Town to utilize the engineering firm, Tata & Howard, Inc. to administer our water service line inventory program by reviewing system records and populating the inventory database identifying the water service line material for all water customers in Town.

An accurate inventory of water service lines is important to identify if there are any lead service lines in Rowley. Lead was widely used in water service lines until 1944 and lead can be found in many of the older cities and towns in Massachusetts. System records have identified the service line material for some properties in Town, however there are numerous properties where the service line material was not identified in existing records. As a result of this, letters will be sent to properties with an unknown water service line material. The letters provide information to contact Tata & Howard, Inc. to set up an inspection to confirm the service line material. Inspections will be conducted by personnel from Tata & Howard, Inc. or Stacey DePasquale Engineering, Inc. If you receive a letter, please follow the instructions in the letter to schedule an inspection. Inspections should take less than 30 minutes and involve the representative visually inspecting the location where the water service line pip connects to your water meter, which is often located in your basement.

Notice of Water Main Extension

by

October 4, 2023

Notice of Water Main Extension Project

The Rowley Water Department is pleased to announce the commencement of a significant water main extension project that will enhance the reliability and capacity of our water supply system. The extension will start on Fenno Drive at the intersection of Central Street and continue up to Mansion Drive.

During this period, residents in the affected areas may experience temporary disruptions in their water supply. Our department is committed to minimizing inconveniences and will work diligently to complete the project within the specified timeframe.

The water main extension project aims to improve water distribution, ensure water quality, and cater to the growing needs of our community. We appreciate the understanding and patience of residents in advance as we work towards a more resilient water infrastructure.

The first phase of the project will start on Monday October 16th. GCG Associates will be performing this phase of the project. GCG vehicles have the company logo on them, and employees will be wearing safety vests and will install adequate signage indicating the survey. They will be identifying existing services. In order to complete this, they will be surveying using a drone for one day and the ground survey will be approximately five days, Monday through Friday from 7:30am until 4:40pm. They may need to access properties, up to the home structures. During this time, an employee from the Water Department will be onsite at all times.

The construction on the new main is anticipated to take place in late Spring 2024 over the course of approximately eight weeks.

We will be notifying residents again with an update on the start and end date for the project.
For more information and regular project updates, please visit our website at www.rowleywater.com or contact our office at 978-948-2640.

We thank the community for their cooperation and support throughout this essential project.

Our mission

To provide adequate water quantity and quality at a reasonable cost and sufficient water for fire protection. To administer first-rate customer service to the Town of Rowley. To operate all aspects of the municipal water supply in an environmentally sound fashion and to maximize system reliability, minimize losses, repair or improve system deficiencies and operate within an established budget. To ensure regulatory compliance and to protect the residents from contamination and back siphon/ backflow water quality issues.

Recent Posts

News

Hours

Monday – Friday
7:00am to 3:00pm

Contact

Customer Service
978-948-2640

Billing Questions
800-553-5191

After Hours Emergencies
Call Rowley Police at 978-948-7644

Rowley Water Reports Elevated PFAS LevelsClick Here to Learn More