Dear Customer, 

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission and Water Departments from Agawam, East Longmeadow and Longmeadow are providing you with the following educational materials on lead and drinking water, as required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  The Commission provides drinking water to Springfield, Ludlow, Agawam, East Longmeadow and Longmeadow.  We conduct many water quality tests and one substance we are required to sample for is lead.  Lead sampling took place from June through September 2005.  EPA requires selected residents to collect water samples from their home taps.  The water sampled must stay in home plumbing for more than 6 hours. 

The sample results were calculated in two categories:

-          Each city or town conducted sampling and the results were calculated to meet the regulation individually, by city or town. 

-          All samples were combined and the results were calculated for compliance system-wide. 

Individually, Springfield, Ludlow, Agawam, and Longmeadow results were below the lead limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb).  East Longmeadow did not meet the lead limit.  System-wide, the lead limit of 15 ppb was not met, with a result of 17 ppb.  Based upon these results, we are required to provide the following educational brochure to explain the simple steps you can take to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.  

As you read through the brochure please keep in mind:

• There is no lead in the drinking water supplied to you.
• Lead may enter the water through home plumbing that contains lead when the water is not used for several hours.
• A simple solution to “Get the Lead Out” is to run your cold water faucet for 15-30 seconds before drinking or cooking.
• All known lead service lines to homes and businesses have been replaced.
• A corrosion control program approved by DEP has been in place since 1993.  The program treats the water so it is less likely that lead will dissolve into the water.

Please read the information carefully.  If you have any questions please call the numbers listed .

 Springfield Water and Sewer Commission

To view the brochure press here