Hampstead Water Services: Plaistow system meeting standards while staff watch disinfection byproducts

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, and staff are tracking seasonal water-quality issues and administration tasks affecting customers and commercial properties.

Lanza said the system, which began operating around August–September 2022, currently shows overall water quality “excellent.” He flagged disinfection byproducts, primarily haloacetic acids (HAA5), as the key parameter being monitored: “We're right around 41, just shy of 41. The limit is the blue line, which is 60,” Lanza said, describing how the running annual average is calculated from quarterly samples. He said a tank temperature above about 74–75 degrees Fahrenheit makes it harder to control those byproducts and that the town could use flushing or chemical dosing at the tank if levels rise.

Lanza described operational changes made to improve safety and logistics at the East Road station after chemical deliveries proved difficult for local suppliers. Rather than relying on 55-gallon drums and manual handling, he said the crew installed a small crane on the dock to transfer barrels from trucks, improving safety during deliveries.

On infrastructure, Lanza said Hampstead Water Services is pursuing modest automation of the chemical-injection feed system and is working with Plaistow staff on SCADA and routine valve exercising. He described an annual program to operate and inspect every valve and said residents should expect crews in the right-of-way doing that work.

Backflow-device compliance remains a focus. Lanza said owners of testable backflow devices must have them tested at least once per year (twice for high-hazard devices). He reported the program is roughly 30–40% complete and that many customers have not responded to notices. Lanza said private utilities have fewer enforcement tools than municipalities and that Plaistow staff and the fire chief are discussing escalation options, including potential administrative actions tied to certificates of occupancy. He said typical market cost for a test is about $75 per device.

On system usage, Lanza said summer flow averages about 100,000 gallons per day with some peak days near 130,000 gallons, a change from early operations when the system required frequent flushing to avoid stagnation. He described typical Sweet Hill tank operation as a 12–18 foot “band,” with tank full at 18 feet and an average around 15 feet.

Lanza urged outreach to properties not yet connected to the system — including plazas along Route 125 and the Walmart/Shaw's area — noting some businesses continue to rely on wells or tankers despite nearby mains. He said the one-time incentive period that reduced or waived connection fees has lapsed but that a town-supported financing option remains available to spread connection costs on the water bill.

Selectmen and staff discussed billing cadence and software: currently quarterly billing could be moved to monthly or bimonthly, but staff capacity and a forthcoming new billing system were cited as constraints. Town staff said a new billing platform is scheduled to go live around Oct. 1, which could make shorter billing cycles easier to implement in the future.

Lanza took questions from Selectmen about enforcement and logistics and said he would continue to work with Town Manager Greg and the fire chief on backflow compliance efforts.

The update closed with Lanza inviting further questions and offering to provide details on any of the operational items raised.