Show All Answers

1. Who do I call for a water billing problem?

For billing issues, please contact the main office at the Water Department from 8AM to 4PM Monday through Friday.

contact the Water Department.

2. Why is my water bill increasing?

A water bill can increase for many reasons, including new members to the household, or members that are home more often than they used to be, new appliances, new outdoor use, such as irrigation systems or pools, or changes in the seasons, as more water is used in summer than in winter.  An increase in your bill, if otherwise unexplained likely indicates a leak at the property.

3. How can I determine if I have a water leak?

You may be able to determine on your own if you have a leak. Follow the procedure on this page.

4. Is my water safe to drink?

The water in Attleboro is of very high quality. It must meet the strict requirements of both the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as well as the United States EPA. Daily, weekly, and other periodic testing of the water is performed to ensure that its high quality is maintained. If, in the rare event, a problem were to arise, the City is under obligation to notify the public as to what, if any, action they should take.

5. Is there bacteria in the water?

Bacteria are naturally present everywhere in the environment, including raw water sources. As part of the treatment process, all water treatment plants disinfect the water prior to distribution. In Attleboro, we use sodium hypochlorite as a disinfectant. The residual chlorine concentration is maintained at a level sufficient to keep all harmful bacteria out of the system.

To ensure that the disinfection process is effective throughout all parts of the City, we test the water weekly from between 15 to 18 sample points, including the most remote parts of the City. We check for the presence of coliform. The coliform serve as an indicator of the presence of other more harmful bacteria. Should coliform be detected, steps would be taken immediately to identify the source and remedy the situation, usually with further disinfection.

While the detection of coliform in Attleboro's drinking water is a rare occurrence, should more than 5% of samples drawn in any given month indicate their presence, the public would be notified as to what steps should be taken. Most often, the situation would require that the water be boiled before consumption.

6. Should I have my water tested?

The water in the distribution system is monitored for quality all the time. If a resident is receiving high quality water from the distribution system, but feels that their household plumbing may be having an adverse effect on their in-home water quality, they may contact a commercial lab.

7. Is lead a problem in my water?

When lead is found in drinking water, it most often is there from corrosion of household plumbing. On a periodic basis, the City conducts a survey of 30 households in Attleboro and tests their tap water for both lead and copper. The most recent survey was conducted in the summer of 2021. The results of the last survey indicate that the Attleboro Water Department is in compliance with State and Federal regulations.”

If you are concerned that your home may have plumbing components containing lead, there are ways to minimize your risk of exposure. If your water has been sitting in the pipes for a number of hours, always let the water run for at least one minute before drawing it for consumption. Alternatively, run the water until it is noticeably colder than when you started to be sure it is fresh.

Also, never use hot tap water for cooking. Always use fresh cold water and heat it as needed. Hot water from the tap may contain more lead.

8. How much sodium is in my water?

The concentration of sodium in the water varies depending on the season and on the amount of salt that has been used on roadways neighboring the watershed areas. The sodium is analyzed monthly at each of the City's 2 facilities. The latest 3-year average sodium concentration for the West Street facility is 65 milligrams per liter. The average for the Wading River facility is 55 milligrams per liter.

9. Is my water hard or soft?

The water in Attleboro falls in the soft end of the water hardness scale. Additional softening of the water by the homeowner is not considered necessary. The average hardness of the water provided to residents is 40-45 milligrams per liter, or 2.3-2.6 grains per gallon. On the hardness scale, 0-75 milligrams per liter is soft, 75-150 milligrams per liter is medium to hard, and over 150 milligrams per liter is very hard.

10. What chemicals are added to the water?

All chemicals used at the water treatment facility are approved for use in drinking water. At the treatment plant, suspended and dissolved material is removed by coagulation, flocculation, and settling using polyaluminum chloride.

After filtering, the water is treated with sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH. Polyphosphate is added to sequester metals and help reduce corrosion of household plumbing. Sodium hypochlorite is added to destroy pathogens, and fluorosilicic acid is added for dental hygiene.

11. Why is fluoride added to the water?

Fluoride is a form of fluorine, one of the most abundant elements on earth. Because of its ability to reduce or prevent dental caries, water systems in the United States began adding fluoride to the drinking water in 1946. Wherever this treatment practice is in place, a significant reduction in the incidence of tooth decay can be expected. Worldwide, the Centers for Disease Control considers the implementation of water fluoridation to prevent dental caries as one of the major achievements of the 20th century.

There have been many claims made over the years that adding fluoride to drinking water has an adverse effect on human health. The American Dental Association asserts that none of these claims have ever been substantiated. They further conclude that "After 60 years of research and practical experience, the preponderance of scientific evidence indicates that fluoridation of community water supplies is both safe and effective."

Their position is further supported by a report prepared by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, commissioned by the EPA. The report concluded that the currently allowed levels of fluoride in drinking water do not pose a risk for health problems such as cancer, kidney failure or bone disease.

12. What can I do to conserve water?

Drinking Water

• If you drink tap water, keep a bottle or pitcher of water in the refrigerator so you will always have a supply of cold water for drinking.
• Use leftover drinking water for watering houseplants.
• In restaurants, have the wait staff provide you with drinking water only if you want it.

Food Preparation

• Use a soft brush to clean fruits and vegetables more quickly. Running the water while cleaning produce can waste up to 5 gallons of water.
• When thawing frozen meats, plan ahead and thaw them in the refrigerator rather than thawing in warm water soaks. This will be safer and healthier, too.
  

Garbage Disposal

• Most garbage disposals require you to run cold water the entire time you are using them.
• To save water, have all the garbage ready at the sink before you start running the disposal.
  

Cleaning Dishes

• Wipe dinner plates instead of rinsing them before placing them in the dishwasher.
• Run the dishwasher only with a full load and on the shortest cycle needed.

Personal Hygiene

• When brushing your teeth or shaving, only run the water when you need to rinse. Allowing the water to run while brushing your teeth or shaving can waste up to 5 gallons of water.
• If you take a bath, do not overfill the tub. A full tub may hold over 50 gallons of water. When you first run the bath water, don't let the initial cold water run down the drain. Stopper the tub and save all the water. It will be warmed up by the hot water that follows.
• Take shorter showers. The average shower uses 15 - 20 gallons of water.
• Insulate hot water pipes to reduce the amount of time you need to run the water to allow it to heat up before getting in the shower.
• Do not use the toilet to flush items that could more properly go into the trash instead.
  
  

 

Household Water Leaks

• Check all the household faucets for leaks, especially outside faucets and garden hose connections. Make repairs when necessary. A leak no matter how small can add up. A slow drip can waste 75 gallons a week. A steady drip can waste 200 gallons a week. A stream can waste 1000 gallons a week.
• Check the toilet for leaks by adding a dye tablet or a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. If the dye gets into the toilet without having flushed, there is a toilet leak. Also, listen for the sound of water running out of the tank. Sometimes it's hard to see water leaking into the toilet but you might hear it. A leaky toilet can waste 60 gallons a day or more.

Laundry

• Try to wash full loads only. If this isn’t possible, change the setting for the load size to a smaller load.
• High efficiency washers can use up to 30 gallons per load and older washers can use as much as 50 gallons per load.

Lawn & Garden

• Water lawns and gardens in the morning. This will reduce evaporation and allow the moisture to sink into the soil before the heat of the day.
• Water gradually and lightly to prevent wasted runoff.
• Turn off automatic sprinklers during times of wet weather to prevent needless waste and over-watering.
• Water small gardens by hand with a hose or watering can.
• When planning a garden, incorporate native plant species or plant species that don't require as much water. Mulch heavily wherever practical to prevent moisture loss.
• In dry periods, allow the grass to grow a little higher. This will save water and protect your lawn from burning.
  

Pools

• Fill your pool earlier in the season when demand for water is not as great.
• When filling your pool, keep an eye that you do not overflow it.
• When emptying kiddie pools, use the water for watering plants, shrubs and gardens.
  
  

Car Washing     

• Wash your car in the shade and on the grass if possible. This will use less water and water your lawn at the same time.
• Do not leave the hose running while washing your car. A running hose can waste 25 gallons per minute or more.

view our water saving tips page.

13. What is the typical water pressure in Attleboro?

Typical pressure in the system can range from 60 to 120 psi.

14. I am experiencing water at my home of lower quality than expected. What do I do?

There are several reasons that your water may not be as clear as usual. It can be due to a main break, fire, system maintenance, paving, street sweeping, or hydrant flushing in your area. If you would like to receive notifications of such issues, please sign up here: https://www.cityofattleboro.us/list.aspx?Mode=Subscribe#alertCenter.

If the lower quality is not explained by any of the above, take the following steps:

Low pressure: If there is a water filter installed in your home, change the filter. Check the property for running water or leaks. If you find none, please contact the Water Department by telephone 24 hours a day.

Cloudy Water: Pour a glass of water from the tap and let it set. If the cloudiness dissipates, it is due to entrapped air, which is a result of the seasonal change in temperature of the water.

Taste or odor:

Is the taste or odor of chlorine?

1.  If so, this is a result of the disinfection process and is not harmful. Fill a pitcher of water and leave it in the fridge for drinking. The chlorine will dissipate overnight.

Is the taste or odor throughout the whole house or just one sink?

1. If it is at one sink only, and there is a filter installed, change the filter.
2. If it is at one sink only, and there is no filter, clean the faucet aerator and the sink drain.
3. If it is throughout the whole house, and there is a whole-house filter installed, change the filter.

Is the odor in the hot water, cold water, or both? You may need to run the cold water for several minutes to determine this. If it in the hot water only, the hot water temperature in the house is likely set too low, or the tank needs flushing and maintenance.

Discoloration:

Is the discoloration throughout the whole house or just one sink?

1. If it is at one sink only, and there is a filter installed, change the filter.
2. If it is at one sink only, and there is no filter, clean the faucet aerator.
3. If it is throughout the whole house, and there is a whole-house filter installed, change the filter.

Is the discoloration in the hot water, cold water, or both? You may need to run the cold water for several minutes to determine this. If it in the hot water only, the hot water temperature in the house is likely set too high, or the tank needs flushing and maintenance.