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Find answers
to our most frequently asked questions regarding the Dedham-Westwood Water District. If you have trouble finding an answer to your
question, or you have a more detailed inquiry, feel free to contact
us.
Where does our water come from?
The District’s water supply is groundwater. We have fourteen wells, six in Westwood and
nine in Dedham. We also have an emergency connections with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority,
the City of Boston and the Towns of Norwood and Needham. We also have the ability to
purchase water from the MWRA on a routine basis, up to 36 million gallons
annually.
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How is our water treated?
The District has two water treatment plants where water from all of its regularly pumped wells is filtered. Chlorine is added for disinfection, fluoride is added for preventing tooth decay, and iron and manganese (naturally occurring minerals found in New England groundwater) are removed.
The pH and alkalinity are adjusted to neutralize the slightly acidic
characteristics of the groundwater so that it is less corrosive to piping
and plumbing. Numerous tests are performed, ranging from continuously, for
monitoring pH and other treatment plant performance indicators, while
other parameters are analyzed daily, weekly, quarterly or annually
depending on regulatory requirements.
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I have received a water bill that is higher than normal. What should I do?
The first thing to do is to request a meter reading to verify that the bill is correct or you can check the meter yourself if you wish. If the reading is correct and no other changes have occurred in the household, you probably have a leak. Most often, higher than normal readings are caused by toilets running due to an incomplete seal in the back of the toilet.
This type of leak may be intermittent and it may not be audible. It can often be corrected by the homeowner replacing the rubber seal and ball or may require a plumber. Leak detection tablets for toilet leaks are available at the office. Be aware that Water District regulations do not allow for abatements for leaks.
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Why do we have water restrictions?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has strict regulations on water
withdrawals by Public Water Suppliers and other large water users such as
farmers and golf course operators. Newer sources of water can be used only
when nearby river flows are over a certain threshold. Sometimes this means
that when the water demand is highest, there is less available to use. We
are also obligated to carry out a multi faceted water conservation program
to encourage and assist our customers to reduce their usage as well as
minimize the leakage on the underground water system piping.
Our water system currently has the capacity to pump
and treat about seven million gallons of water per day. Since the average daily use is about 4.25 million, the District has more than adequate supply for most of the year. However, during the summer, demand may meet or exceed the system’s capacity which then must be replenished by rainfall events to maintain well levels. Also, water is stored in large storage tanks throughout the towns which must be kept as full as possible for health and safety (fire fighting) reasons. Excessive outdoor use during these times can impact the ability to provide these safeguards.
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How is the Water District planning for the future?
Although a consultant’s report indicates adequate supply to meet anticipated growth through 2023,
water use trends are frequently reassessed. The Commonwealth reviews and
modifies Public Water Supply water withdrawal permits every five years. If
certain benchmarks are not met, the amount of water we are allowed to
withdraw from the Charles and Neponset River Basins be reduced. For
example, if the average residential water consumer uses more than 65
gallons each day, the withdrawal permit may be made more stringent.
Similarly, if the amount of water lost through leakage of underground
water piping exceeds 10%, the water withdrawal permit can be impacted.
Through a combination of measures such as pubic education and outdoor
water use restrictions, we maintain water withdrawal below permit limits
or face heavy financial penalties! The District is now a member of the Massachusetts Water
Resources Authority and has the ability to purchase additional water when needed.
These purchases are not subject to the same limitations as the water
sources located in the metro Boston areas including Dedham and Westwood
but is much costlier than water we pump and treat locally.
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I have a leak on my service line. Will the Water District fix it?
The Water District is only responsible for repairs and replacements of water mains in the street, the connection from the main to the shutoff valve
(usually at the property line), and meters and remote reading devices. The customer is responsible for the service line from the
shutoff valve to the home or business, all plumbing on private property, the meter pit if your meter is located outside in the ground, and repairs to frozen meters where adequate protection was not supplied.
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I’m selling my house and moving soon. What should I do?
To arrange for a final water bill, make sure that you schedule a meter reading for at least two days before the closing. The District requires 24 hours notice and you will need to take your final water reading to your sewer department (if you are on sewer) for a final sewer bill.
If we've written to you asking to change your water meter please call us
to make an appointment. If you are due for a meter change we will not take
the final read without the meter change out.
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