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1. Is there lead in my water?

Elevated levels of lead in water can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Westford Water Department does test for lead in the water (the most recent results were well below the required limits) and is responsible for providing safe, high-quality drinking water. However, we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.

Additionally, the Water Department’s corrosion control program functions to reduce corrosion of the metal piping water travels through by raising the naturally corrosive pH of area groundwater to a slightly alkaline and non-corrosive level. This program has been effective at reducing lead concentrations in the drinking water.

When your water has been sitting for several hours (such as overnight), you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using the water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or at

2. Where does Westford’s drinking water come from?

Groundwater from the Merrimack River Basin aquifer provides the water source for Westford residents, schools, and businesses. About 75% of residents in Westford receive their water from the Westford Water Department, and the remaining 15% are on private wells. The Westford Water Department operates 9 groundwater wells throughout town, and pumps the water to either the Forge Village or Nutting Road treatment plant. Once treated, the water is pumped into the distribution system to one of 5 storage tanks, from where it eventually makes it into your home, business, or school.

3. Is my drinking water clean?

When drinking water is pumped from the ground it has small amounts of impurities in it coming from contact with rock, dirt, vegetation, and the effects of human activity. This is why the Westford Water Department filters and treats all of its water before it is delivered to customers. This treatment helps to ensure that the water delivered to you is healthy and good tasting.

4. Is my drinking water safe?

The Westford Water Department fully complies with the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Department treats all of its water in order to meet state and federal requirements for public drinking water. Water is treated for corrosion control, disinfection, removal of volatile organic compounds, and removal of iron and manganese. In addition, the Westford Water Department regularly tests its water for over one hundred different contaminants. If the level of a contaminant exceeds state or federal health standards then the Department will notify the public and take corrective action immediately.

5. What is in my drinking water?

All drinking water, including bottled water, usually contains small amounts of impurities. Ground water can dissolve naturally occurring minerals, such as nitrate, from the earth’s crust. Ground water can also pick up substances that are a result of human or animal activity, such as coliform bacteria. However, the presence of an impurity does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. The Westford Water Department fully complies with all monitoring and reporting requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, and your drinking water meets all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standards. For more details on the quality of your drinking water, see the Westford Water Department’s most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).