Water Filtration Solutions
The majority of single-family homes in Boxborough are served by private domestic wells. In addition, there are approximately 28 small public water systems (PWSs) serving the Town’s facilities, businesses, and residential developments. Water for fire protection comes from a series of fire ponds and underground cisterns owned and maintained by the Town. For more information on this, see the following link Boxborough Water Supply.
WATER QUALITY ISSUES
In general, the groundwater supply in Boxborough often has high levels of iron, manganese, and sodium. Selected areas in town have experienced problems with nitrates, pathogens, MTBE, perchlorates, and radiological contaminants. Some homes and PWSs provide treatment for these contaminants. However, for some PWSs, compliance with MassDEP drinking water regulations has been an ongoing issue.
Dissolved Iron Staining
WATER SAMPLING, TESTING & ANALYSIS
Water testing should be conducted by an EPA or Massachusetts state certified laboratory and should minimally include analysis for the parameters in the table below. If you are uncertain as to how to take a proper sample of well water and get it to a lab or what to test for, you should contact a lab or water treatment professional for assistance. The closest lab to Boxborough for having this testing done is Nashoba Analytical in Ayer, MA. http://www.nashobaanalytical.com/. They can walk you through the steps required to complete this task. They are a reputable state certified laboratory. Typical items tested for are as follows:
| Coliform bacteria | pH |
| Arsenic | Radon |
| Chloride | Sodium |
| Iron | Sulfate |
| Lead | Conductivity |
| Manganese | Nitrogen-Nitrate |
| Total Dissolved Solids | Copper |
If the testing results for Radon exceed the current Massachusetts guideline of 10,000 pCi/L in water, the radon must be removed from the water and the Board of Health recommends testing the air for Radon as well. It should be noted that New Hampshire requires action if radon is 2,000 pCi/L (pico curries per liter), Maine and Rhode Island are at 4,000 pCi/L. Regarding Arsenic, the maximum allowable level per EPA guidelines is .01 parts per million. See link at: Arsenic removal. For information on water filtration system types, see the following section.
WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS
Water Softener with Sediment Filtration
Water filtration systems can be installed for the removal of any of the contaminants listed in the above table and more. Water softeners are typically installed to remove hardness (magnesium & calcium), iron and manganese in the water through a technology called Ion Exchange. Arsenic is removed with tanks containing a specific media that “grabs” the arsenic out of the water. Removing radon from water requires a system that agitates the water in a sealed chamber to release the gas, which is then vented outside. It is critical that the venting is done properly to minimize the chances of radon gas potentially being blown back into the home. Any water filtration system designed should start with a water test before an informed recommendation can be made. Additionally, reverse osmosis systems are highly effective in removing sodium and other dissolved impurities in the water. Hydrogen Sulfide is evidenced typically by a rotten egg smell in your water, however this may also be caused by high Manganese levels in the water as well. A water filtration specifically for this problem is effective in correcting this.
Radon in Water Filtration
In summary, if you are a resident of Boxborough or are considering becoming one, encountering various contaminants in your water is not something that should prevent you from living in a town you’ve decided you would enjoy. Water filtration systems including water softeners, sediment filtration, arsenic and radon removal systems are proven technologies that work and will provide you with excellent water quality.
