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Image courtesy of Dedham-Westwood Water District. Pictured is a portion of the second postcard mailing to water service customers who are being asked to help identify the material of their service lines.
11-12-2023 12:10am
Seeking to Avoid Door-to-Door Inspections, DWWD Urges Customers to Participate in Water Service Line Inventory Project
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Customers who want to avoid their property being included in a door-to-door inspection should mail information about their water line to Dedham Westwood Water District (DWWD) before November 30, 2023, announced the water utility late last week, following its first request for such information in early fall.
In late September to early October, DWWD first mailed postcards to customers whose water service line information is unknown, and provided directions on how to obtain and submit information on their water service line to DWWD. Customers who have not yet responded to the first email prompting can expect a second mailing card in the mail shortly, noted DWWD late last week.
“Since launching the project in September, to date, approximately 1,000 customers have inventoried and reported their water service line’s material,” said Executive Director Blake Lukis. “We still have a lot of work to do. Customers are encouraged to submit the required information in order to avoid door-to- door inspections, which our staff and a third-party engineering firm will begin conducting in January 2024,” he said.
Tools to obtain service line information, such as magnets and mini screwdrivers, are available from DWWD while supplies last. They can be picked up at DWWD's headquarters at 50 Elm Street, Dedham. There is also an informational guide, video, and more available on the DWWD website.
DWWD is undertaking its Water Service Line Inventory Project to comply with revised regulatory requirements from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The revised regulations are designed to better protect communities from exposure to lead in drinking water. They require public
water suppliers to create a lead service line inventory and replacement schedule by October 2024.
Additionally, sampling protocols have changed, and there are increased sampling requirements for schools and daycare facilities which
were previously not included in sampling programs, says DWWD.
DWWD asks that customers submit their service line information online by November 30, 2023, to avoid a door-to-door inspection.
Thanks to Dedham-Westwood Water District for sharing this news with Westwood Minute.
