Information from EPA Test results show that most of the contaminants that we look for are not in our water. Those few that are found are present in very small amounts. MWRA follows, and even goes beyond, federal and state regulatory standards for testing water. One measure is turbidity, or how cloudy the water is. We measure turbidity continuously.
Low turbidity is one of the many indicators of safe water.
High turbidity might mean that contaminants are present in the water. Wachusett Reservoir almost always has a very low turbidity level as shown in the chart below. We also test the water for fecal coliform bacteria as the water leaves the reservoirs. Fecal coliforms are microorganisms that can come from animal waste. The presence of fecal coliform can mean that harmful pathogens could be in the water.