Source: Bob McCarthy and Town Administrator, Townwidemall.com, and Town Websites

The Maynard Water and Sewer Division on the Town website, as well as the Maynard Advantage and Townwidemall, have previously reported on long term water system issues and plans.  This month we are reporting on requests to find interim solutions to deal with a color contamination issue for affected residents in the southern part of Maynard.

The Select Board asked the Water and Sewer Division of the DPW to review the cause and scope of the contamination problem and examine some possible solutions.

While some review was on the Select Board agenda on March 5, 2025, specific plans on remedies are still in review.  There is however a lot of information to help residents understand the relatively long history and current status better as well as some interim solutions to consider if you are in the impacted area of town.

Brief background for context:

• The Town of Maynard’s water comes from eight groundwater sources.  Four sources are 40 to 70 feet deep and constructed in sand-and-gravel deposits that overlie bedrock; they are located in the southern half of Maynard. The remaining three groundwater sources are approximately 400 feet deep into bedrock and located in the northern half of Maynard. 

• Maynard’s 3-Phase water improvement plan is designed to address water quality and pumping capacity issues over the long term (see previous Maynard Advantage issues mentioned above for details about Phase 1 near completion and Phases 2 and 3 and critically needed investment strategy for our town’s financial health).

• Some residences in the southeast corner of town are experiencing higher levels of sediment and color in their water as pumping from OMR infiltrates further into the distribution system. Maynard is experiencing increased discoloration due to many factors. The first is the degradation of the aquifers on the southern half of Town. Drought conditions can lower the depth of water in the water sources so pumps pull more sediment and color that the filtration plant can’t fully clear. The historic high yield pumping has caused an increase in discoloration. The second is older infrastructure, as the old cast iron pipes (many are very old) have produced iron deposits which can also discolor the water.

• Even before the recent temporary reduction in water supply, due to a fiber optic communication cable damage incident at our newest well source that was caused by animal intrusion, over the last few decades about 537 residences in the southeast corner of Maynard have experienced periodic elevations of color and sediment that affect shower, bathroom fixture discoloration, stained laundry, and of course safe but unappealing drinking water at the kitchen water taps. This can only be fully remedied by costly upgrades to current filtration plant design or long term changes to other water sources, and these are in long range plans being actively pursued.

So, what is being done now in the short term?

• The Water and Sewer division of the DPW is continually increasing efforts to improve water quality and answers all inquiries made about Maynard residents’ water. Some color issues result from different causes and staff can suggest the most appropriate action for a resident’s individual concern. This communication is best initiated through a discolored water report form found on the website at the link below. Some solutions are relatively easy to diagnose and remedy in a short timeline.  Others will take costly treatment plan upgrades to fully address color and this will take longer, but the town can guide residents to the most appropriate and affordable interim steps to reduce causes and/or install home filters to remove color from water for those affected. 

Discolored Water Concerns

Maynard Water and Sewer Division is aware of recent reports of water discoloration in households located near the Old Marlborough Road Water Treatment Plant. The discoloration is caused by excessive organic material that cannot easily be removed due to plant design capability. This increase in excessive material is due to increased raw water degradation in the Concord River Basin which is related to the ongoing state-wide drought conditions. The Water and Sewer Division are monitoring water conditions and evaluating all options to alleviate the discoloration. When temperature allows, flushing will occur to temporarily relieve the discoloration in highly reported areas. Please continue to report any discolored water through this form: DISCOLORED WATER FORM

For more review of our Water system and what impacts quality and pumping capacity, please also take advantage of this link which is actively being updated with new and relevant information to this and other water topics:  See https://www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/257/Water-Sewer

For more information on similar color problems in other MA communities:

Boston Globe article on statewide increases in discolored water March 6, 2025