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Town of Hartford

Water Quality Report 

Drinking water sources (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

WE TEST for over eighty contaminants that include:

(Monitoring Schedule is based on system size)

IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants, can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Infants and children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population.  It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home’s plumbing.  It’s always advisable to flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using the water. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you can have it tested.  Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

^{The HARTFORD WATER SYSTEM           WSID 5319}

Two “gravel pack” wells provide drinking water to approximately 7,500 people in White River Junction, Wilder, and Hartford Village. The department is able to meet current system demands utilizing either well.

Wilder Well #1 has a current pump capacity of approximately 750 gallons per minute while Wilder Well #2 is capable of pumping approximately 900 gallons per minute. In 2008 we pumped over 127-million gallons from Wilder Well #1 and over 130-million gallons from Wilder Well #2. This resulted in an average use of 702,000 gallons per day.

Although the quality of the “raw” water from these wells is excellent, it does contain an excessive amount of manganese. Manganese is a naturally occurring mineral that is common in ground water. The amount found in groundwater is usually not considered a health risk; however it can be a nuisance by staining fixtures and laundry. All of the water from the Wilder Wells goes through “greensand” filters at the Wilder Treatment Plant to remove the manganese. The process, known as “catalytic oxidation” uses sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) for both filter regeneration and system disinfection. An alternative method also uses potassium permanganate (KMNO4) to regenerate the filter media. The plant is capable of treating over 2-million gallons of water a day.

The water is distributed to over 1900 homes and businesses through an underground network of pipes ranging from 3/4" to 16" in diameter. As a precaution, chlorine residual is maintained throughout the distribution system. This practice is similar to many other public water systems and is required by State and Federal regulations. Two storage reservoirs, totaling 2.5-million gallons, provide pressure and storage during high water usage, such as a fire, and for the times when the pumps are off. Approximately 300 fire hydrants are connected to the system. A 12" water main interconnects Hartford and the City of Lebanon water systems for mutual use in emergency conditions.  

A Source Protection Plan that was approved by the Vermont Water Supply Division on 9/9/04 shows the susceptibility of potential contamination to the wells is low; since isolation zone around the wellheads is owned or controlled by the Town of Hartford. The complete Source Protection Plan can be reviewed at the Public Works office.