Foxborough DPW Director: Brown Water is Expensive Problem; ‘Will Take Years to Fix’
Foxborough DPW Director Roger Hill says the town's brown water is aesthetically displeasing but otherwise safe; calls the issue an expensive problem that will take years to fix.
Foxborough Department of Public Works Director Roger Hill has heard the complaints of brown water in town and can relate to the frustrations voiced by residents fed up with “dirty water.” “I’ve had my share of laundry ruined by [brown water],” Hill said. “I have very few white t-shirts left.” Hill said most of the brown water complaints in town have come from the Chestnut Street, Park Street, Mechanic Street and South Street area and while the dirty water ruins laundry and is “aesthetically displeasing,” it does not pose any risks to one’s health. “It is safe water,” Hill said. “The brown is a mixture of red and black from iron and manganese. … It’s not dangerous, it’s not a health risk; it’s a problem because [of the color and its stain …
Concerned Citizen
10:15 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) for manganese EPA and MADEP is 0.05 mg/l, although this level is not federally-enforceable. The EPA and has also issued Health Advisory for manganese in drinking water of 0.3 mg/l. The Lifetime Health Advisory for manganese contains a precautionary statement that "for infants younger than 6 months, the lifetime Health Advisory of 0.3 mg/L be used … more ›