Plaistow water operator reports compliant system, tracks disinfection byproducts and backflow compliance

Charlie Lanza, general manager of Hampstead Water Services, told the Plaistow Board of Selectmen on July 28 that the town's water system is meeting state and federal requirements but staff are tracking seasonal issues and operational upgrades. Lanza said the utility is watching disinfection byproducts, especially haloacetic acids (HAA5). "We're right around 41, just shy of 41. The limit is the blue line, which is 60," he said. He described 74–75 degrees Fahrenheit in the storage tank as a tipping point when meeting disinfection targets becomes harder. Why it matters: rising summer temperatures and slower turnover in storage tanks can increase disinfectant byproducts, which utilities must manage to stay under regulatory limits. Lanza said the system's current average is below the regulatory line and the operator has tools such as targeted flushing or chemical dosing that would be proposed if levels rise. Most important facts: Lanza reported average summer flow of about 100,000 gallons per day with peak days near 130,000 gallons, which he said provides better turnover than when the system first began operating in 2022. The East Road station is the source of much of the monitoring discussion; Lanza described a recent equipment change — a small crane to unload 55-gallon barrels from delivery trucks — that improved safety and logistics at that site. On system maintenance and upgrades, Lanza said operators want to automate some chemical injection processes and make minor SCADA and feed-system adjustments because current dosing is largely manual. He also said the utility performs annual valve exercising across the distribution system. Backflow compliance and customer outreach: Lanza said the town has about 30–40% compliance on testable backflow devices and is coordinating with the town manager and the fire chief to increase testing and enforcement. He said the standard testing cadence is once per year and twice per year for high-hazard connections and added, "We charge $75 a device for a backflow test." He noted that municipalities have enforcement tools private utilities may not, including revoking a certificate of occupancy or shutting water service if required to gain compliance. Customer connections and fees: Lanza urged the town to consider outreach to commercial plazas and other properties that are not yet connected to the municipal system, citing examples such as the former Shaw's plaza and a Cumberland Farms location that are adjacent to main lines but remain on private wells. He said a one-time incentive program that reduced connection fees has lapsed; town-supported financing that allows customers to amortize connection costs through their water bills is still available. Billing and software: Selectmen and staff discussed billing frequency. Lanza and town staff said the town is switching to a new billing software with an anticipated go-live of Oct. 1. Officials noted moving from quarterly to monthly billing could improve customer budgeting and leak detection but would increase transactions for the tax collector's office and may require staffing adjustments. What was not decided: the board received the update and discussed options; there was no formal vote to change fees, billing frequency or enforcement policy at the July 28 meeting.