Frequently asked questions…

Although a consultant’s report indicates 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 Aquifer may 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.

Though a combination of measures such as public education and outdoor water use restrictions, we maintain water withdrawal below permit limits or face heavy financial penalties!

No, the Water District is only responsible for repairs and replacements of water mains in the street, the connection from the main to the shut off valve (usually at the property line), and meters and remote reading devices.

The customer is responsible for these items:

• service line from the shut off valve to the home or business
• all plumbing on private property
• the meter pit if your meter is located outside in the ground
• repairs to frozen meters where adequate protection was not supplied.

The first thing to do is request an actual 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 your toilet leaks are available at the office.

Be aware that the Water District regulations do not allow for abatements for leaks.

Usually the lawyers will handle this matter with our office by asking for a final owed amount. The District will change the name of the old owner with the name of the new owner at this time.

The Lagoon Pond Well station #1 is a protected watershed. This area is Oak Bluffs Water District property and responsibility to protect the general public’s drinking water supply. The Lagoon Pond Coal Barn has recently become a concern due to its degradation and because of this we had to lock the second gate and keep people out because of liability.

We the Oak Bluffs Water District understand that in the past there have been right of ways given to contributors of the land and the Conservation Commission. We are looking to change the second gate entrance to accommodate these right of ways so the trail can be reopened and the public can once again view the State of Massachusetts’ oldest operating well.

The right of way will be there for all Oak Bluffs residents to view station #1. We ask that anyone using the path that they please stay on the path and not try to walk around the station.  It will be monitored 24/7 by security.

Lead can leach into tap water if the service line that connects your home to the water main in the street is made of lead. The pipes that carry water in the street are usually made of iron or steel, and do not add lead to your water.

Lead primarily enters drinking water through plumbing materials and service lines. Source waters are rarely the cause of elevated lead levels in finished drinking water. Corrosive (e.g., low pH or acidic) water can result in the leaching of lead from service lines and plumbing materials into drinking water.

Lead can also get into tap water if:

• You have lead pipes in your home.
• You have lead solder on pipes or brass fixtures in your home.
• Lead solder was banned in 1989. Homes built before then will likely contain lead soldered pipes
• Corrosion of lead-based materials can introduce lead to tap water, especially when water sits in the pipes for a long time before use.

For more information go to:
https://www.mass.gov/lead-in-drinking-water

For most recent Lead sampling results see the 2021 Consumer Confidence Report:
https://www.oakbluffswaterdistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021OB-CCR-Final.pdf

The District has five wells and four pumping stations.  The water is treated at the pump stations.
Fluoride is added for preventing tooth decay.   Iron and manganese (naturally occurring minerals found in New England groundwater) are sequestered.
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.

Please read this information on our Outdoor Watering Ban during peak usage summer months – PDF will open in a new window
WaterBan2015

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used in a variety of consumer products and industries throughout the world. Two PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), were extensively produced and are the most studied and regulated of these chemicals. Many other PFAS exist. These PFAS are contained in some firefighting foams used to extinguish oil and gas fires. They have also been used in a number of industrial processes, and to make carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, and other materials (e.g., cookware) that are resistant to water, grease, and stains. Because these chemicals have been used in many consumer products over the past 50 years, most people have been exposed to them.*

*For more detail see:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/massdep-fact-sheet-pfas-in-drinking-water-questions-and-answers-for-consumers/download

See Oak Bluffs Water District PFAS6 sample results on the 2021 Consumer Confidence Report
https://www.oakbluffswaterdistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021OB-CCR-Final.pdf

The Oak Bluffs Water District receives its water from five supply sources, the Lagoon Pond Well, the Farm Neck Well, the State Forest Well, the John H. Randolph, Jr. Well, and the Madison Alwardt Sr. Well.  All four sources are groundwater supplied from the Island’s sole source aquifer.  Aquifer is the name given to underground soil or rock through which groundwater can easily move.  An aquifer is recharged from rainwater and snowmelt, and from lakes and rivers.

With careful use, and by reducing sources of pollution, such as seepage from landfills, septic tanks, leaky underground fuel tanks and sometimes fertilizers and pesticides, groundwater will continue to be an important natural resource.

The Lagoon Pond Well, (Well #1), off Barnes Road, consists of 7 gravel-packed wells.  Combined, they are capable of pumping 850 gallons per minute. (gpm).

The Farm Neck Well, (Well #2), on Tradewinds road, consists of 2 gravel-packed wells, put into operation in 1972.  Combined, they are capable of pumping 600 gallons per minute (gpm).

The State Forest Well (Well#3), off Airport Road, consists of a single gravel packed well, put into operation in 1987.  It is capable of pumping 1000 gallons per minute.

The Madison Alwardt Sr. Well (Well #4) off Airport Road, consists of a single gravel-packed well, put into operation in 2003.  It is capable of pumping 1000 gpm.

The John H. Randolph Jr. Well is capable of pumping 600 gpm.

This water system is interconnected with the Edgartown water system.  In the event of a water emergency, the Oak Bluffs water system can be fed by the Edgartown system.

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. We are obligated to carry out a multi faceted 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 four million gallons of water per day. Since the average daily use 1.44 million during the summer season, 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 a large storage tank 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.