The North Attleborough Water Department reports that there was a laboratory issue during a routine water sample testing at the Hillman Treatment Plant that resulted in the Department not receiving proper notification from the laboratory. Community members should note that while we were unaware of the sample, there was no issue with our water supply at this time.
Since the laboratory failed to notify the Water Department, it did not collect the required repeat samples or conduct a Level 1 Assessment by August 3, 2023, which resulted in a Treatment Technique Violation. Due to this violation, the Water Department was legally required to send a notice out to customers by January which some residents may have begun receiving in the mail today.
However, the Water Department has since completed the required assessment and submitted it to MassDEP on September 2, 2023, along with supporting documentation from the laboratory acknowledging the lab error, including a copy of a letter to MassDEP regarding corrective actions implemented by the laboratory to ensure that this issue does not reoccur. No sanitary defects were found during the assessment and no subsequent corrective actions were required by the PWS. The water supply at the Hillman Treatment Plant has since returned to compliance with the Revised Total Coliform Rule.
We remain committed to conducting routine monitoring and testing of our water supply to ensure it is safe for all community members.
For more information, please contact Mark Hollowell at 508-695-7790, North Attleborough DPW, 49 Whiting Street, N. Attleborough, MA.
