57 Complaint Record 2010 ts_frilini all 411111
Q1I ' ,s Al / —17 "gS '
LP rd l' i II1II IdoII Pml � �� 'o :ueq 1uopoy
Geis U0 t7 r\I d , , 7
,
:1210d321 S,y0103dSNl� �.. '
:uonoedeui 10 ele0
:JouM0
:40I200n .
" d
_ii:..._
if 17Y io1NI'd'IdW00 d0.'r4s + ) h) _Yryn�
.1 ]210 VN /
•
IL'
4;OJZIMIligra
apOl:eu91 P/
S:aim
(u .TI IQI 1713f /IiilLiiI ,�
z
III l i f.11 • �
,,,,l 11 I : i l, �fl �1 ;_,
vNl I
Nebraska Department of Health
and Human Services
Iron and Sulfur Bacteria in Water Supplies
Bacterial contamination of a water supply doesn't always mean"health hazard."Some types of bacterial
contamination are more annoying than harmful. Iron and sulfur bacteria are two of the most common
bacterial contaminants that well owners face. Neither type of bacteria is particularly harmful at least not
at the levels usually seen in well systems. However, they can be incredible nuisances. Here are some
valuable tips on how to avoid or treat iron and sulfur bacteria infestations.
Iron Bacteria
Iron bacteria is generally more common than sulfur bacteria, simply because iron is abundant in ground
water.
Iron bacteria are"oxidizing agents."That is,they combine iron or manganese dissolved in ground water
with oxygen.A side effect of the process is a foul smelling brown slime which can coat well screens,
pipes, and plumbing fixtures. This slime isn't a health hazard, but it can cause unpleasant odors, corrode
plumbing equipment, and clog well screens and pipes. if conditions are right,the bacteria can grow at
amazing rates and an entire well system may be rendered virtually useless in just a few months.
There are several signs that may indicate an iron bacteria problem.Water may have a yellow, red or
orange color. Rusty slime deposits may form in toilet tanks.A strange smell resembling fuel oil,
cucumbers, or sewage may be noticeable. Sometimes the odor will only be apparent in the morning or
after other extended periods of non-use.
Sulfur Bacteria
There are two categories of sulfur bacteria:sulfur oxidizers and sulfur reducers.
Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria produce effects similar to those of iron bacteria. They convert sulfide into sulfate,
producing a dark slime that can clog plumbing.
Sulfur-reducing bacteria
Sulfur-reducing bacteria(SRBs)live in oxygen-deficient environments.They break down sulfur
compounds, producing hydrogen sulfide gas in the process. Hydrogen sulfide gas is foul-smelling and
highly corrosive.
Of the two types, sulfur-reducing bacteria are the more common.The most obvious sign of a sulfur
bacteria problem is the distinctive"rotten egg"odor of hydrogen sulfide gas. As with odors caused by iron
bacteria,the sulfur smell may only be noticeable when the water hasn't been run for several hours.
In some cases,the odor will only be present when hot water is run;this could indicate that SRBs are
building up in the water heater. Blackening of water or dark slime coating the inside of toilet tank may also
indicate a sulfur bacteria problem.
Iron bacteria and sulfur bacteria contaminations are often difficult to tell apart because the symptoms are
so similar, To complicate matters, SRBs often live in complex symbiotic relationships with iron bacteria,
Ben Wood
From: Doug McDonald [dmcdonald @nohodpw.org]
Sent: Monday, June 21, 20104:27 PM
To: Ben Wood
Cc: Sarah LaValley
Subject: Re: Dunphy Drive
Ben:
The DPW will follow up via the Planning Dept. to determine what maintenance should have been
done to the Detention Basin on a regular basis and help educate the property owners regarding
their responsibilities.
That said, it does not appear that the iron bacteria issue has been caused by lack of
maintenance of the basin and the 1986 letter from MA DEQ documents that this has been an
historical occurrence in the brook near Dunphy Drive. I spoke to Jim Laurila and he
confirmed that this is likely a natural condition that has been observed in various brooks in
the City. I do not see a need to investigate the drainage system further or conduct sampling
unless you find a health reason to do so.
Thanks,
Doug
Ben Wood wrote:
> After doing some research, I think that the coloring is certainly from
> iron bacteria which has no known health effects. I also finally talked
> with the other abutter to the stream and it turns out that the
> sickness their dog came down with (an intestinal parasite) could have
> come from multiple sources. Doug, is DPW taking any further action on
> this? I am leaning towards not doing any testing but it does seem as
> if there are some general upkeep issues that need to be addressed. I
> am having difficulty communicating with the original complainant but
> if they can verify the rash in some way I may still test, otherwise I
> am leaning towards closing the issue for now. Thanks. Ben
• Original Message
> From: Doug McDonald [mailto:dmcdonald@nohodpw.org]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 2:31 PM
> To: Ben Wood
> Cc: Sarah LaValley
> Subject: Re: Dunphy Drive
> Ben:
> The DPW uses Test America in Westfield.
> Jim Laurila and David Veleta at the DPW could both give advise on what
> to sample for, but unfortunately they are both away this week.
> FYI, the DEP letter that Sarah attached may be referring to a slightly
> different location (behind #95 Dunphy) than the area we were looking
> at, but indicates that this iron precipitate has been present for some
> time in this general area.
> Here is a link to some information on iron precipitate that I found:
> http.//www.umaine.edu/WaterResearch/FieldGuide/inthewater.htm
> I have not found any information of health impacts from this bacteria.
> Thanks,
> Doug
> Ben Wood wrote:
BOARD OF HEALTH
MEMBERS
DONNA C.SALLOOM,CHAIR
SUZANNE SMITH,M.D.
JOANNE LEVIN,M.D.
STAFF
Benjamin Wood,MPH
Director of Public Health
Patricia Abbott,R.N.,Public Health Nurse
Aimee Petrosky,Health Inspector
Heather Mcbride,Clerk
6-25-10
Kim Girard
57 Dunphy Drive
Florence, MA 01062
Dear Kim,
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS 01060
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
212 MAIN STREET
NORTHAMPTON,MA 01060
I do not have a correct phone number for you and wanted to provide a brief update (and please do
call so we have your number). I visited the site with a representative from the city's conservation
committee and the city's stormwater coordinator. I also talked with your neighbor about the issues
their dog has had recently. While there may be some maintenance issues that the city's stormwater
coordinator is looking into, we all agree that the color of the water is due to iron bacteria, a byproduct
of an iron rich soil which has no known human health effects. At this point I am interested in knowing
more about the skin rash that you said has occurred and if you took any pictures. That could help us
moving forward.
Sincerely,
Ben Wood
587-1213
1^.,H — n"'o '^ `7r^.`11]._ —
"nit /J � `�rv� -nos PM 11 rw.?1
717 -jt' I T a 1�, -r.7 7 -pay
11A 140$
pi 0 -tiw ' rte ^�� z �1a�' ^± 1')b
Ben Wood
Prow: Salloom, Donna(DPH) [Donna.Salioom @state.ma.us]
Sent. Friday, May 21, 2010 9:09 AM
TO: Ben Wood
Subject: RE: DEP contact
Kathy Chamberlain is my contact there. I haven't seen her in ages but I think she is still there. if you talk to her please
say hi for me, she knows me as Donna Clarke Salloom. We have lost touch since Rog and I got together. Donna
Donna C. Salloom
Community Liaison, Western Region
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Division of Prevention and Wellness
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Western Regional Office
23 Service Center Road
Northampton, MA 01060
(413)586-7525 (1138)
donna.sa(loom estate.ma.us
Blog: http://publichealth.bloq.state.ma.us
From: Ben Wood [mailto:bwood @northamptonma.gov]
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 9:00 AM
To: Salloom, Donna (DPH)
Subject: DEP contact
Donna,you said you know of a DEP department that will do water quality testing?Thanks. Ben
Ben Wood, MPH
Director, Northampton Health Department
212 Main Street, Municipal Building
Northampton, MA 01060
Direct Line:413-587-1213
General Office: 413-587-1214
Fax:413-587-1221
Email: bwood@northamptonma.gov
http://www.northamptonma.gov/healthdept
(E-mail is a public record except when it falls under one of the specific statutory
exemptions.) i
(S � ,r /
i ,.,S
‘ \.tMl a�> of. CL"-", L3-1 S kJN r
J ` y/
06/16/10 1:24:37 PM
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY RECORD CARD CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS EFFECTIVE DATE OF VALUE: JANUARY 1, 1998
PARCEL ID: 36 -285-001 SPRUCE LN PLOT: LIVING UNITS: 0 CLASS: R - 132 CARD M: 1 OF 1
CURRENT OWNER/ADDRESS NEIGHBORHOOD ID: 17.00 FINAL VALUE FLAG: COST
MAPLE RIDGE PROPERTY OWNERS LAND DATA
-- -. - ASSESSMENT INFORMATION -
T99MAPLE RIDGE RD _) TYPE SIZE INFLUENCE FACTORS LAND VALUE
RESIDUAL 32155 RESTICTIONS -50 5,630 PRIOR COST CURRENT
FLORENCE- MA 01062
LAND 5,600 5,600 5,600
BLDG
TOTAL 5,600 5,600 5,600
DEED BOOK: 4174
DEED PAGE: 151 SALES INFORMATION
DEED DATE: 19930406 TOTAL ACREAGE: 0.738 TOTAL LAND VALUE: 5,600
LAST UPDATE/COST: 20090410 DATE TYPE PRICE VALIDITY
LAST UPDATE/COST: 20090410
ADDITION DATA
K DATE:
Lower Level First Floor Second Floor Third Floor Area
DATA COLLECTION INFORMATION
ENTRANCE CODE: ENTRY + SIGN
INFORMATION SOURCE:
DATA COLLECTOR:
DATE:
DWELLING INFORMATION
STYLE:
YEAR BUILT:
STORY HEIGHT:
ATTIC:
Basement:
TOTAL ROOMS:
TOTAL BEDROOMS:
FULL BATHS: ADDITIONAL DWELLING INFORMATION
Half Baths:
BASEMENT GARAGE(#CARS) ADDITIONAL FIXTURES:
EXTERIOR WALLS: BRICK TRIM: X
UNFINISHED AREA: STONE TRIM: X
GROUND FLOOR AREA:
TOTAL LIVING AREA: REMODELING DATA
FINISHED BASEMENT LIVING AREA: X
BASEMENT RECREATION AREA: X YEAR REMODELED:
MASONARY FIREPLACE STACKS/OPENINGS: /
METAL FIREPLACES: KITCHEN REMOD(Y/N)
HEAT/CENTRAL A/C: BATH REMODEL (Y/N)
HEATING SYSTEM:
FUEL TYPE:
QUALITY GRADE: PHYSICAL CONDITION
COND/DESIRABILITY/UTILITY INTERIOR/EXTERIOR D \`�'` O CO
OUTBUILDINGS 8 YARD ITEMS PERMIT DATA � �, !,
TYPE OTY YR SIZE1 SIZE2 GRD COND DATE PURPOSE PRICE Q',(JA'(YJJ 4iCel �A ``T J� 114„)
NOTES: -�V ` `02. 1 °'�-
ADDRESS CHANGE PER LETTER FROM
WAYNE FEIDEN. DATED 8/19/99.
u.n>e .ciao, dtlD A,_
r .
•
4`-ti 4x
g ". - J L. —3
� 1k '+' I. ' l
HI zr
` - �s ..
- =i r-
\ t .1, 4
�\ a �y
.44-.-:). if.
T
nil 4 'P g® r._i
\ '' 4
1 \� . ` l ''
1 iY� .
\ ! ., -
,- 11
{' is -
P ttt
v.
- .4itli — .,.. .
t