Danvers officials: water-quality notice stemmed from reporting lapse, not a public-health exposure

Town officials told the Select Board on Jan. 7 that a water-quality notice mailed Dec. 26, 2025 was required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection because the town failed to report deviations in corrosion-control treatment within the required timeframe.

Town staff explained that in August and September 2025 the water treatment plant missed planned targets for pH and phosphate levels, which are part of corrosion-control treatment to help limit lead and copper leaching from plumbing. "Failure to have corrosion control treatment within the required perimeter range for more than 7 days is considered a treatment technique violation by the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulation," staff said. Officials said the violation stemmed from an underperforming corrosion-control product supplied previously, the problem has been corrected and there was no public-health risk.

The town manager said the failure that led to the notice was in reporting to MassDEP within the 48-hour notification requirement rather than an exposure event. "This violation was in our reporting," the manager said. The town will send postcards and post a copy of the required letter on the town website; hard copies were available at the senior center, library and town offices.

Officials encouraged residents with additional questions to contact the water treatment team; staff said they will follow up with more detail about thresholds that would trigger household notifications and promised to provide the board with written clarification.