boston-clear-water-company

BCW’s Right to Operate the Pocahontas Spring Survives Challenge by Neighbors

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 21:08:38 GMT

In June 2014, Boston Clear Water Company, LLC purchased the Pocahontas Spring in Lynnfield, MA to continue the tradition of supplying its pure mineral spring water to vendors and customers throughout the region. Although the Pocahontas Spring has operated as a spring water business since at least 1901, neighbors challenged BCW’s right to continue operating the spring water business in 2017, by filing a request for enforcement with the Lynnfield building inspector to have the business shut down. The 2017 challenge failed, so the neighbors returned in 2018 to assert another challenge to BCW’s right to operate a spring water business from the pure, mineral water of the Pocahontas Spring. Both the Lynnfield Building Inspector and the Lynnfield Zoning Board of Appeals determined that BCW had the right to operate a commercial spring water business from the Pocahontas Spring as a pre-existing, non-conforming use of its property. Despite these rulings from local officials, the neighbors persisted with their fight against BCW by filing an appeal with the Massachusetts Land Court. Finally, after more than six years of litigation, on August 25, 2023, the Land Court dismissed the neighbors’ case against BCW, with prejudice.

At long last, nine years after BCW purchased the Pocahontas Spring, it is able to focus on its mission of providing the public with pure, chemical-free, mineral-rich spring water that has flowed from the Pocahontas Spring for centuries. As the current steward of the spring, BCW is honored to supply this natural mineral spring water to you.

Spring Water to All Lynnfield & Woburn Residents Affected by the PFAS6 Water Contamination Crisis

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 01:38:09 GMT

Boston Clear Water Company is offering spring water (up to 5 gallons) to all Lynnfield & Woburn residents affected by the PFAS6 water contamination crisis.

When : Sunday (1/23) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3:33 p.m.

Where : 165 Lowell St., Lynnfield MA 01940

At Boston Clear, we are committed to providing clean water and giving back to the community. When Lynnfield residents called us out of concern for their health regarding the PFAS6 water contamination issue, we did not hesitate to assist by providing free clean water. During the last water contamination crisis in 2018, we stood by Lynnfield residents by offering free fills, and we are here to do it again in 2022. We have been aware of the PFAS issue since 2016, and put the proper systems in place to fully protect our water supply. Our two active carbon filters eliminate any trace amounts of PFAS6 in our finished product. We are also proud to be a leader in providing lead-free water, as the CDC states that any serious lead exposure is unsafe for children. Lead poisoning may have partially led to the fall of the Roman Empire, but we won’t let it harm our communities! At Boston Clear, it is our moral responsibility to take a tough stance on lead-tainted drinking water, PFAS6 and dangerous contaminants that are byproducts of sanitizing agents. Please share this event with your family and friends to help safeguard the health of all, especially children and the lives of those unborn.

info@bostonclearwater.com

Boston Clear's mission is to protect Pocahontas Mineral Spring so we can serve customers now and for future generations. We were grandfathered, or as we say grandmothered, as a public water supply when Joseph Franklin Smith, the grandson of a Revolutionary War veteran, established Pocahontas Spring Company in 1901. Before then and well over 400 years ago, native peoples recognized Pocahontas Spring as a sacred place. Indigenous women gave birth to their children there and many took rest and refuge by these nourishing waters. As the current stewards of the spring, it is our honor to uphold all good traditions of the past. We intend to carry them on for the benefit of all in the name and spirit of our ancestors.

We also remain diligent to serve customers that are affected by lead and copper in their drinking water. As announced at the end of last year, a new regulation was passed called the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to better protect communities from exposure to lead and copper in their drinking water. We believe this problem may already exist in local communities and could present a safety issue. While water suppliers will not be forced to meet the more stringent regulations on the compliance deadline of October 16th, 2024, Boston Clear is ahead of the curve and offers water free of these contaminants.

Learn more about this new regulation here

Learn more about the hazardous effects of PFAS6 here

PFAS litigation imminent

Certificate of Approval To Operate a Bottled Water Facility

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 22:15:46 GMT

Grandmother's Gratitude Day

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 16:57:42 GMT

Today we announce the first Grandmother’s Gratitude Day. It has been 400 years in the making. While Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends, Grandmother’s Gratitude Day compels us to honor Mother Earth and the lineage of elders who have taught us how to steward the Earth. Amidst all the chaos of this world, the voices of the elders ring clear and true: “Recognize that you have the gift of life and be a caretaker of that gift.” These words, spoken by Cherokee elder Dhyani Ywahoo remind us all of our responsibility to be caretakers of the gift of life.

What's In Your Water?

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 03:26:56 GMT

Let’s start off by asking “What is in our water at Pocahontas Spring?” The answer is “what Mother Earth put into it with the addition of fine filter to capture debris (don’t want rock parts in your water) and we hit it with a ultraviolet light to kill any bacteria. Ultraviolet (or UV) light is a type of radiation. In simple terms, when any type of bacteria or microbe is directly exposed to certain types of UV light, the DNA (its fundamental building block) of the cell is damaged, preventing it from replicating. If a cell cannot reproduce, then the cell cannot cause infection, which is how UV light kills bacteria. This does not affect the quality of the water (taste, smell, pH, alkaline or mineral makeup), it just kills the bacteria. From there, the water goes out the vending spouts to your containers.

But water that goes through metropolitan treatment facilities, often have added chemicals, like chlorine and fluoride. However, people are now concerned about the things that are being added to the water they drink.

Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to drinking water to disinfect it and kill germs. Different processes can be used to achieve safe levels of chlorine in drinking water. While the chlorine could be harmful in high doses, when it is added to water, they all mix in and spread out, resulting in low levels that kill germs but are still safe to drink. The reason for adding chlorine is that the source of water that is being treated is a combination of a feed of water sources (lakes and streams) combined with runners off from sewers and land. This means that treatment plants have a lot of stuff to kill before it gets to your house. It also has to have enough chemicals in it to safely pass through pipes to residences. To us, water like this is good for flushing and bathing, but not so good for drinking … but hey, we’re particular about our water.

Then there is fluoride . The addition to fluoride, once hailed as an outstanding healthcare achievement since it was found to curb tooth decay, began being controversial in the 1950s. Today, people have developed a number of theories, many of which have been debunked, as to the dangers of the naturally found compound. There is a big movement by many municipalities to have it removed from their water treatment, believing that it causes autism and a number of other negative health conditions. The fact is, people want less added to their water.

When it comes to bottled water that you see in the store, there may be no chlorine or fluoride in the water but there may be something you never thought should be …. PLASTIC . The perception of bottled water being clean and pure is being challenged by a global investigation that found the water tested is often contaminated with tiny particles of plastic.

A number of factors are going to determine our fate as a planet, clean water is one of them. We came across this article in Wired that said climate change could impact the production / cost of beer !!! Say it ain’t so!

There is also the issue of contaminants being purposely put into water sources that is meant to do no harm. In Minnesota, they are using a chemical in lakes to get rid of the algae that is growing out of control … but some are skeptical as to whether or not it is harmful to those who later drink that water. You decide, but we think when man tries to resolve one problem, he often creates two.

We prefer water from the earth, from deep within the earth.

Helping During A Crisis

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 02:25:31 GMT

Like other businesses throughout the country, Boston Clear Water continues to monitor the COVID-19 emergency. However, we are doing more than monitoring, we’re going to help.

As a public water supply, we want to support our community and are offering our mineral water during this ongoing crisis. While we have vending machines that take quarters, we have a well-marked machine that will dispense water at no charge. If you can pay, please use the vending as you have in the past. If you cannot, then please help yourself.

We realize that many in our community will experience a negative economic impact as a result of lost income. We feel that access to our water should not be prohibited because of cost.

We remind you to share this precious resource. The earth has given us this water to share with as many people as possible. If you are filling, be courteous and fill the containers you need to fill and allow others a turn who may be waiting. We have seen the chaos at grocery stores and there is no need for that scene at your spring. We honor those by sharing.

Boston Clear’s steward of the spring said, “We have a lot of loyal customers and we welcome everyone. I wanted to assure those who are facing an immediate financial crisis that water will be available.”

Boston Clear Water also wants to assure its customers that it maintains a high level of quality control. Our water is drawn from a few inches below the grotto in the stone house. It then passes through a small filter and an ultraviolet light before it is dispensed in customer-provided bottles. No human hands or light touch the water until it is dispensed.

While we have taken a number of measures to assure safe drinking water, we ask that all of our customers be considerate and conscientious of other people who visit the spring. Please assure that your bottles are clean both inside and out. Use a paper towel or some sanitary wipe to handle the doors to the vending machines.

Drink and prosper!!

Our Water During National Emergency

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 02:28:03 GMT

Our water supply is safe and we continue to monitor the situation.

First, we want you to know that our water comes from deep in the earth and naturally comes to the surface in the stone house you see behind the red-vending house. We draw the water from a few inches down from our grotto in the stone house, pass it through a small filter, then through an ultraviolet light, then on to your bottles. No human hands or light touch the water until you dispense it.

This health crisis is teaching us a lesson that the ancient American Indians knew, we are all interconnected and need to watch out for one another. Our actions and inactions have an effect on others. Keep your bottles clean, wipe the shelves down with a sterilized wipes, also wipe down the handle you use to open the door to the vending. These are simple items that help us all.

We monitor the property and conduct maintenance to assure quality water is delivered to your bottles.

Wash / sanitize your hands before touching any of the equipment at the spring and if you or someone is not feeling well, please allow a friend to make the trip to the spring for you.

We are all in this together and we will provide our mineral water to help people prosper in these trying times. We will not run out of water during this crisis and the good earth provides a constant, fresh supply every minute of the day.

While at the spring, we offer you an experience to reflect on how appreciative we are for the water that bounds out of the earth to our spring. We know that it is special and we will protect it.

Beautifully Protecting Public Water Supply

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 02:35:28 GMT

Whenever you visit the spring you will see continuous improvements. These are done with stewardship and protection of this beautiful natural resource.

Hand pruning vegetation is necessary to keep thing tidy in the area. We want to make the spring accessible to everyone.

Feel free to pick up anything others have left behind and take any refuse with you. We have had a few broken bottles left behind, so we all need to be considerate of the area. This is beneficial to all of us who understand protecting our precious water supplies.

We are all stewards of the mineral elements here and we appreciate your help.

Boston Clear Water’s Update On Planet

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 02:38:45 GMT

If you visit our site or come by our spring, chances are you have an interest in high quality water and the reality that sources like ours are scarce. Boston’s local news show, ABC’s Chronicle , took a look at the challenges facing our water supply in the area. Lynnfield, our own home town, has also faced challenges of supplying clean water to residents.

In South Africa, where a lack of water nearly shut down Cape Town last year, they are looking at trying to avoid another future crisis. They actually had a day they named “Day Zero” when water would completely run out in Cape Town but, thanks to generous rainfall and severe restrictions on water use, they have staved off disaster for now. However, they are looking at other solutions, including towing a giant iceberg from Antartica to quench the country’s thirst.

Plastics are choking the planet. Canada is going to phase out single use plastics by 2021 in an effort to cut “3 million tons of plastic waste tossed out by the country every year.” Our oceans are a mess with plastics and they are finding micro-particles in most all living creatures who live in our seas.

This brings us to solutions to helping our planet. Each of us needs to look at our plastic footprint and cut it down … starting now. No plastic bottles and if you’re going to buy an expensive water bottle then you should be putting the finest water in it.

Help our planet for the next generation. By setting an example, we teach others to be mindful of this small, beautiful planet. Our kids are watching and we believe that they will be better stewards of our planet’s resources if we can just show them the way.

Update: Summer At The Spring

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 02:41:47 GMT

It is summer here in New England and the water is flowing.

A few changes and the first one you will note is the pricing of the water to $0.75/gallon. It is our commitment to continue to make this amazing mineral water available to everyone. We have added another water vending position to help ease the lines we have seen when the spring gets crowded.

We are also undergoing some repairs in the office area which is not going to affect dispensing of water. Our first priority was preserving and cleaning the area around the spring to preserve it for generations to come. In that process, we experienced unforeseen legal action by those who sought to close the spring. While we respect the legal process, it has been an expensive and revealing process. Having persevered, we want to assure that we both deliver our great water and provide an experience that enriches those who visit us.

Consistent with our goals we also depend on you to tell those who you know and love about our water. The mineral water that comes from Pocahontas Spring is special … it tastes special … it makes those who drink it feel special.

We continue to offer access to the spring waters that flow from within the stone house out back. We welcome those who meditate, pray and just sit in peace at our spring. To those who believe in the healing powers of our waters, we continue to offer a place where you can meditate and focus on your personal goals.

Our St. Anthony statue and the spring were recently honored at a dedication in France at the church of St. Pietro, not far from the battlefields of Normandy. It was there that our owner, Anthony Gattineri, is considering ways that there can be future connections between the two places.

Please tell someone about our spring, its mineral water and the people who visit it, all of which make this place so special. Follow us on Facebook and look for updates here!

The Value Of Mineral Water

Mon, 20 May 2019 02:45:44 GMT

We appreciate everyone who visits our spring in Lynnfield, particularly those who have taken the time to stop in our little red house that serves as our intergalactic headquarters.

Over the next few months, you will note that the price of our mineral water is going to increase. There are a number of factors that go into making such a decision but we are confident that the value for the quality is without equal.

Water is not created equal. In today’s mass market of bottled water, consumers can easily be confused as to the quality of the water and the claims made by the bottler. Nestle’s Poland Springs brand is now part of a class action lawsuit centered around the company’s misleading consumers about the quality of its “spring” water. You may have noted an increase in the commercials for Poland Springs as this lawsuit moves forward (We bet you start noticing). The fact is, the rules on labeling favor big corporations, not the consumer.

So what’s the difference in water? We found a good article from Consumer Reports that gives an unbiased look at the different kinds of water. Mineral water is different and our water is different from any other. First, you can taste the difference in our water and second, you can see the source for yourself.

We believe that the ritual of coming to our spring, taking a moment to be thankful for this natural source, and re-using containers are all part of a journey that more people will be making. There is hardly a week that goes by that we do not see something in the news about the poor quality of the water coming out of American homes’ faucets.

We believe that we should provide a space where people can show their thanks for the water. While you can do that as your bottle fills at our vending positions, we make the area next to our red house available to give you a place to reflect on this journey … something you may not get with a trip to your local grocery store. Reflection is as much part of our water as the water itself.

Many of you have also shared your stories of what the spring means to you and your family. Some of you have become hubs for water distribution within your network of family and friends. I am sure that your efforts are well worth it.

Finally, we want you to know how much we appreciate the stories many of you share with us. We hear you and we are noting them to add to our special history.

A Poem For Spring

Thu, 16 May 2019 02:49:01 GMT

Mary Richardson wrote to us at the spring last year as part of her move from Pennsylvania to Colorado Springs. Her reasons for the move were quite simple, access to clean water.

Nothing says “Spring” like a Spring … with flowers.

Richardson is a nurse but her the hospital where she worked pushed baby formula, mixed with ordinary water, on new mothers and their babies. She now works in a lactation nurse in a Baby Friendly, hospital. “Baby Friendly” was coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) who launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), a global program to encourage the broad-scale implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. The BFHI assists hospitals in giving mothers the information, confidence, and skills necessary to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies or safely feed with formula, and gives special recognition to hospitals that have done so.

Mary, who now lives in Colorado Springs in a place called the Garden of The Gods …. and she only drinks water from nearby Manitou Springs, a town that has a few mineral springs.

During a recent walk, Mary was inspired to write a poem about the Blue Bell flowers she saw …. I asked her if we could share it here “Homage to Blue Bells.”

Why do Bluebells hang their heads down low
Are they tired or sad allowing their tears to flow
Assisting their roots with water to grow
It’s very possible we may never know
Why do Bluebells stare down at the ground
As if in a dream or lost in a sound
Wild things roam and creatures abound
Perhaps the answer can never be found
Why do Bluebells not come up for air
As if the sun is no more their care
They seem content to just stand there
It’s beyond comprehension, life isn’t fair
Why do Bluebells have a hunch on their back
As if looking down is a natural act
Dusty floors, a wall with a crack
Only an earthworm gets a look at that
A world without Bluebells would be a sorrowful place
They remind us of gratitude and private space
Things of true beauty can often be traced
To a Bluebell’s mystery of hiding its face

The Future Of Water

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 03:58:44 GMT

We are constantly monitoring the world of water. While there is both good news about the drinking water on our planet, there is also troubling news. One thing that is for certain, there are changes coming.

As we head into 2019, we wanted to share with you some our observations on water issues. You can follow us here throughout 2019 as we also adapt to the challenges of our changing planet.

Here is what to look for in 2019:

Tap Water Is Not Safe – Have you heard “They said the water is safe.” Well, we need to know who “they” are and start pushing back. In recent meetings with the Lynnfield Central Water District (MA), management has told the residents the water is safe despite gray and dark water coming from the faucet. In a contentious meeting last week, LCWD faced angry residents who are concerned about their water. LCWD proposed a multi-million water filtration system to solve the problem but residence wanted more information and requested a study. The truth is, the study will likely lead to even more expensive alternatives. These types of meetings are taking place all over the country as communities face the fact that our aging water systems cannot deliver quality/safe water to the faucet.
Delivery of water is changing – For those of you who come to Boston Clear with your containers, you know how the delivery of water is changing. For years, we all drank out of the tap, then there was bottled water at the store, now people are seeking out their own water supplies. We appreciate your journey to our spring and offer a place to reflect on this wonderful resource, however the next delivery of water delivery system is evolving. People are buying huge storage tanks and rely on tanker trucks to deliver their water. This is much like the home fuel oil delivery system we have today.
The price of water is going to rise – Many of us never imagined paying $5 for a cup of coffee any more than we thought of buying a $2 bottle of water … but here we are. With water from the tap becoming more unreliable, clean water resources dwindling and hedge funds buying up supplies (see #7 below), water is going to go up in price. We noted a bottled mineral spring water at Whole Foods that is being sold for $6.50/gallon.
Plastic is out – Our oceans are filling up with plastic and the problem is driven by plastic containers, particularly water . It is not uncommon for a single person to go through 3-5 bottled waters each day. Look for more refilling of containers and more studies on the poison that seeps into water from plastic containers. More glass please!
Clean Ups Are Coming – After decades of polluting and decades more deciding on legal responsibility / price, cleanup of contamination on some sites will be coming. The solution is going to involve taking ground water through filtration system , adding chemicals to treat the water, then pumping it back into the ground. Will it work? Time will tell.
The EPA is Behind – The EPA cannot keep up with the chemicals that are being dumped into the water. People are flushing chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and trash. A report by CNN found that there are numerous chemicals in the water that are not even being tested for. For those of you who love documentaries, we recommend What Lies Upstream … about a chemical spill into a river in West Virginia. The people are poor and the politicians are inept.
Big Companies Are Buying Up Water Sources – Harvard, whose endowment is multi-billion dollars, has been getting into a new investment … water . Hedge funds are buying up water supplies. Even former president George W. Bush purchased thousands of acres in South America that contains a large water aquifer.
What Happens Over There Will Happen Here – We only need to look at the challenges in other countries to see what could come our way. We say “could” because we think things can change if major reforms are undertaken. However, in places like India , clean water is in such a shortage that towns often bring in tankers to allow people to access to safe water.
Supply Chain Transparency – People want to know where the items they consume come from. Organic farm stands are popping up everywhere because consumers are concerned about pesticides and how their food is handled. Your water should be no different. Our water at Boston Clear comes from the spring, through a filter to remove any particles, then hit with a ultraviolet light for any possible organic matter. Then it goes into your bottle. Keeping it simple!
Identifying Polluters – Sometimes it takes decades for us to know that a company has been poisoning the water. One big polluter has been military bases …. look for many more disclosures and sad stories.

What Does “Water Safe To Drink” Mean? Some Found Out Too Late

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 04:06:42 GMT

After 34 years of waiting, the Environmental Protection Agency broke ground on a $40 million decontamination plant on an old paint company lot in the city of Industry, CA in the San Gabriel Valley. The company responsible for the contamination was Northrop Grumman. This new facility, one of thirty-two recently built in the valley, takes contaminated water out of the water table and puts it through a process known as reverse osmosis before returning it to the water flood control canals … then back into the ground. According to an article in the San Gabriel Vally Tribune, “The largest of three new plants, will treat five square miles of underground pollution and produce clean drinking water at a rate of 2,000 gallons per minute …” But what is “clean drinking water?”

The San Gabriel Valley was hit particularly hard with pollution from industries that dumped toxins into the ground. Five companies that were responsible for dumping chemical toxins that have decimated the water supplies in the area were Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc.; Chemical Waste Management; Allied Waste Industries, Inc. (for Azusa Land Reclamation, Inc., a closed landfill on the Azusa-Irwindale border); Winco Enterprises, Inc (in care of Parker Hannifin Corp.); and Hartwell Corp. They are now part of a massive cleanup project that has crippled water supplies in California which was already under pressure from decades of drought.

Northrop Grumman also has problems in other parts of the country. It is now part of a federal lawsuit brought by a family in Long Island , NY, most of them stricken with rare cancers. Their claim is that Grumman contaminated the water beneath them causing a “plume of toxins” that has expanded over the years. While it was not uncommon for big companies to dump harmful chemicals into the land, what is just as reprehensible is that those who monitored the water supply informed residents that there were no dangers. According to an article in the NY Post :

"But it also dumped carcinogens on land which later became the community park — where kids like Christopher [now has cancer spent years playing Little League and attending summer camp. Last year, officials found radon gas in Bethpage schools. Authorities say Bethpage’s water is safe. But residents scoffed at a 2013 state Department of Environmental Conservation study which found Bethpage cancer rates were similar to surrounding areas.Officials have monitored and treated local water and public drinking wells since the 1970s, said the DEC, which said the state expanded efforts, and is using new technologies, to battle “the plume.” But as new carcinogens are identified, it casts doubt on past water remediation at the longtime Superfund site, said lawyer Nicholas Rigano, who reps the family."

Long Island has a number of non-profit initiatives set up to monitor water quality, identify contributors to pollution and promote grants to improve water quality. It may be too late to save the tap water, but it is a start at preventing the pollution from spreading even further.

Even in New England, where water quality is a growing problem , we see municipal water providers claiming that the water is safe … but is it? How do you know? That is a difficult question to answer and people across the country are wondering if the water that comes from the tap is safe for consumption. The quick answer is “no, tap water is not safe and I would not allow my family to drink it.”

The Environmental Protection Agency sets the standards for drinking water through the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR). One of the problems with the standard is that it lists 91 potential water contaminants that it regulates. But there are more than 60,000 chemicals used within the U.S ., many of which have been identified as probable carcinogens. In addition, water run off and contaminates that are put into the sewage systems (flushed) present an unknown level of prescription drugs, disease and toxins that feed right back to water treatment facilities. Those facilities treat the water with more chemicals then return them to consumers who drink at their own risk.

The Merrimac River, once a haven for sport fisherman, has experienced pollution problems because of heavy rains that cause sewage to be dumped into it. According to a recent article in the Boston Globe :

"Nearly 50 years after the Clean Water Act, the Merrimack has become one of the most polluted waterways in New England, one of dozens of rivers in the region that are repeatedly inundated with raw sewage from treatment plants overwhelmed by heavy rains … the Merrimack is expected to be deluged with an estimated 750 million gallons of sewage from the six treatment plants that feed into it — more than it has received in a decade…”

Our water systems are under extreme pressure and they are not going to get better anytime soon. Get your drinking water from a known, reliable source where you can taste, see and feel the difference it can make in your life. We’ll keep you informed here.

The Dwindling Supply Of Good Water On Our Planet

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 04:18:23 GMT

Let us start off by saying that our water is flowing pure and clear from the center of the earth here to our Boston Clear customers. But we are fortunate.

As we in Massachusetts vote on Tuesday, consider your public officials’ stance on issues related to water. While water is a national issue, its safety is best addressed at the local level where citizens can demand that their leaders do something beside issue statements that say our ‘water is safe to drink.’ If the water around the country is so clean, then why are so many people sick?!!!!

Each week we want to bring you information on water, not to scare you (though there is plenty to be scared about) but to inform you. Through sharing stories of the struggles and the solutions surrounding the world’s clean water supply, we will solve this problem.

Water sources across the world, are under pressure from contaminates like lead, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), manganese … that are all making people sick. In many cases, people drink the water from the tap because that is all that they can afford, so the poorest among us are the ones getting the most contamination. In the past, those testing water were looking for obvious contaminates, like lead, but now there are so many complex chemicals that have leeched into water supplies that are believed to cause high blood pressure, cancer and autism.

The contamination crisis of PFASs in the water is something that should concern a number of communities across the country. According to Vice, PFAS are used in products to create items that are durable, heat resistance, and provide water- and oil-repellency. They can be found in carpet, apparel, fast food wrapping, non-stick substances, firefighting foam, and more. They are throughout the United States and, after decades of production, they have found their way into our bodies.

"For many Americans, the phrase “water crisis” conjures thoughts of lead contamination in Flint, just a few hours’ drive northeast of Parchment. But increasingly, it’s also making them think of the chemicals countless drank—or may still be drinking—every day. From military bases to corporate waste sites , and in Michigan , Pennsylvania , Colorado and beyond , new awareness of PFAS pollution and its long-term effects has left Americans horrified at the unusually durable “forever chemicals” they’ve been ingesting for years."

Lead paint was believed to be the cause of poisoning people in generations past, but could it have been in our drinking water ? However, conditions like high blood pressure are up and a new study suggests that it could be linked to lead;

"It’s possible that lead exposure from decades past is helping feed the growing epidemic of high blood pressure, said Sung Kyun Park of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, who led the study team.

“Lead is a widespread environmental toxicant. As you have seen in Flint and many other cities, there may be continued exposure,” Park told NBC News"

Michigan’s drinking water is worse than what we read about in Flint, M I, which breaks our hearts. While lead was the culprit in Flint, it is only one part of the problem;

Michigan’s experience with emerging contaminants is a clarion call to a nation that has forgotten some critical lessons from the past. In all corners of the state, experts see a family of chemicals, once ubiquitous around the globe for decades, now linked to a series of deadly cancers, thyroid, autoimmune, metabolic and neurologic diseases, along with decreased fecundity and endocrine disruption.

In places like El Salvador , water crisis is leading to outbreaks in violence. According to one local, “The well doesn’t produce a lot of water and when it dries up, we have had problems with people fighting.” Of course they do and it is going to get worse.

In Gaza, a war-torn area of the Middle East, water contamination is likely going to lead to an epidemic . Children will be hit first, then, as it creeps into the lives of adults they will revolt. Battles with neighboring Israel will likely occur if the water crisis is not addressed. Water, a source that once drove people to come together, could lead to fighting that will certainly drive us apart.

Water is necessary for our existence, but before we run out of water, we are going to resort to fighting over it and about it. The quality of our water and how we protect it, could be the single source of peace in the world … something to think about today as we head into Thanksgiving. This year, give thanks to clean water.

Come to our Hate Free Zone and enjoy some of the finest water in the universe.

America’s Battle For Clean Water Has No Easy Answer

Sat, 03 Nov 2018 03:22:24 GMT

We expect honesty from those in our government (we won’t get any more political than that here). However, when it comes to our safety, we expect both honesty and transparency. Never has there been a time when we need both of these when we look at our water supply.

As Pocahontas Spring’s natural flow slows at this time of year before returning to its more robust self in a few weeks , we reflect on how special this amazing resource is to us. When you taste the purity of our water, you will never want tap water … you will never want bottled water again! However, when it comes to tap water, it is more than just taste, it is about safety.

In Newark, NJ, the city conducted an engineering study and found that measures to prevent lead from leaching into drinking water were failing at a treatment plant. The New York Times described the problem as one approaching the level of Flint, MI. However, officials stated on the city’s website, in all caps, that “NEWARK’S WATER IS ABSOLUTELY SAFE TO DRINK.” Then mayor Ras Baraka clarified the statement saying “In fact, Newark has some of the best drinking water. The problem is that our infrastructure is not safe.” WHAT?

Problems with water stretch to rural areas as well. NPR reported in small Martin county Kentucky town on the West Virginia border, a place where you might think the water is so pure, but found contamination so bad that some teenagers have no memory of ever drinking water from the tap. Just like in Newark, the problem is not that treatment plants are putting out contaminated water (though some add chemicals to make sure the water is “clean”), the problem is the delivery system of pipes. According to a Gail Brion, a University of Kentucky professor who specializes in water infrastructure:

“The treatment plant operators can’t control the quality of the water in the pipes if they cannot keep the pipes intact. This is really not on the water quality coming out of the plant. It is on what happens to the water as it goes through this leaky straw.”

In Miami, the rising water associated with global warming (whether or not you think humans are to blame is not the point) is leading to a crisis in that major city. According to Bloomberg, Miami-Dade is built on the Biscayne Aquifer, 4,000 square miles of unusually shallow and porous limestone whose tiny air pockets are filled with rainwater and rivers running from the swamp to the ocean. The aquifer and the infrastructure that draws from it, cleans its water, and keeps it from overrunning the city combine to form a giant but fragile machine. Without this abundant source of fresh water, made cheap by its proximity to the surface, this hot, remote city could become uninhabitable.

So what is the fix? First, come to our spring and fill your glass containers. But we realize that not everyone can do that. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates it will cost the nearly $400 billion to repair the millions of miles of eroding pipe that is the main culprit of dirty tap water. The money for that will mostly come from those who are on the main water supply that is run by a municipality or private companies with oversight from government regulators. For places like Martin county, one of the poorest counties in the country, its residence may never be able to afford repairs and will be forced to purchase bottled water (also a big expense).

Locally, we have seen towns across New England that have encountered problems with tap water, including our own Lynnfield, MA . These crises are often viewed as temporary after some action taken … then assurances that the water is safe. This trend, sadly, is most likely going to continue because there are no easy answers.

Remembering Lucy Marie Smith Vazzana

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 02:51:41 GMT

The Smith Family At Pocahontas Spring

At Boston Clear, we understand that we are part of a legacy of stewards who have watched over Pocahontas Spring for centuries. One of those stewards passed away earlier this month; Lucy Marie Smith Vazzana .

Lucy was the daughter of Joseph F. and Della Alice Rich Smith. Starting in the early 1900s, it was Joseph who began selling water from our spring and delivering it all over around the North Store in horse drawn wagons. We were fortunate to hear a story from John Smith, brother of Lucy, who told us about water being drawn from the spring to help fight the Great Salem Fire of 1914 .

Lucy was also kind enough to support Boston Clear in its recent dispute before the Lynnfield Zoning Board of Appeals that has since been settled. Lucy knew the heritage of the spring and its importance of it being a resource to be passed on for generations to come. We even got a direct note from Lucy on our website not long after we took over; “I am so proud of what you have done to the Pocahontas Spring! I am sure my father is looking down and smiling. Thank you for preserving this beautiful God-given natural resource.” We have always felt the presence of people like Lucy at the spring and am sure she is looking down at us with a smile as well.

Before moving to North Carolina to retire, Lucy was a special needs teacher and taught at several different schools around Lynnfield. She was a longtime member of the Lynnfield Congregational Church where she was the chairperson of the church prayer group. Lucy also served as president of the Lynnfield Flower Club.

After moving to Ocean Isle Beach, NC more than 12 years ago, she became very involved in the Seaside United Methodist Church in Sunset Beach, and was a member of their prayer group. Lucy was someone who stayed active and enjoyed golf. She was a member of the Ladies Golf League of The Thistle Golf Club, the “Out to Lunch Bunch” at Ocean Ridge.

We are thankful for her stewardship, her grace in serving others and her support of our work. She will be missed and fondly remembered.

Plastic Is Choking Our Planet … Some Solutions

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 03:57:05 GMT

We at the spring are committed to clean water and that means a clean planet. In addition to getting the finest water in the galaxy, you are doing your part to save our plant from plastic. Refilling your containers at Boston Clear means fewer plastic bottles. So let’s do a little calculation to let you know how you are contributing to a better world by not picking up a 12 oz bottle of water:

1 gallon of water equates to approximately 10 water bottles (12 oz each)

x 5 gallons/week = 50 bottles

50 bottles x 52 weeks = 2,600 plastic bottles NOT USED

So as you pass someone at the spring and see them filling their bottles, realize that their actions are keeping plastics out of our landfills … and our oceans. Plastics have a life of nearly 400 years before they completely decompose … they decompose faster in water but that is just poisoning our oceans .

We always try to bring you good news here as well. While we are trying to do our part to help the planet, we are thankful that there are some really intelligent people coming up with solutions. One we found recently was an inventor who has launched a vessel to clean our oceans that are polluted with over 5 trillion pieces of plastic (wow!). You can follow the progress of the project here . Boyan Slat, a 24 year old Dutch entrepreneur, has built the largest floating barrier ever deployed that uses the ocean’s own currents to capture plastic to clean up the massive Pacific garbage patch. It works like a giant piece of floating pipe that collects plastics then barges are dispatched to collect the trash clinging to it. Will it work? We hope so!! It just launched and updates will be coming soon. The challenge will be trying to figure out what to do with all the plastic it collects.

There are some other uses for plastics and we found some inspiring stories (and a few tragic ones) portrayed in pictures as to the life of plastic bottles.

So what else can you do to save our planet from plastic?

Use glass containers and fill them at Boston Clear Water ��
Say no to plastic – no bags, no straws
If you use plastic or aluminum, recycle
Shop at local farmer markets and bring your own bags
When you are on the beach, pick up a piece of trash and put it in a barrel

Every little bit makes a difference. It reminds us of a story from Sir Richard Branson who once told of a little girl who was walking the beach and picking up sand dollars and throwing them back into the ocean. A man walked by and asked, “What are you doing there young lady?” To which she replied, “I’m tossing these sand dollars back into the ocean because they will certainly die here on the beach as the tide is going out and the sun is hot.”

The man looked down the beach and said, “There are so many sand dollars here on the beach, you could not possibly get to them all. So what difference does it make?”

The little girl picked up a sand dollar at her feet and threw it into the ocean then looked up at the man, “It made a lot of difference to that one.”

Make a difference today! We want to eliminate 1,000,000 plastic bottles as a result of our efforts. Stay tuned for updates!

Big Problems Require Big Thinking… Our Growing Population And How To Feed It

bostonclearmarketing@gmail.com (Shayna Vigliotta) — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 03:34:26 GMT

We have addressed, and will continue to address, the issues surrounding how we provide safe drinking water to people locally and nationally. One of the issues that has caused our water problems has been the expansion of our population that has led to pollution, loss of clean water supplies and over use of chemicals to treat an aging infrastructure to deliver clean water. The sheer size of the world’s population is posing yet another problem, how to feed us all.

In an exceptional article in the Washington Post , Joel Achenbach says that one of the solutions to feeding the masses involves less reliance on meat and the adoption of more fruits and vegetables (just like your mom told you). Looks like the vegan lifestyle was more practical than many of us thought … it is the future. According to a report published in the journal Nature :

"The food system is a major driver of climate change, changes in land use, depletion of freshwater resources, and pollution of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through excessive nitrogen and phosphorus inputs. Here we show that between 2010 and 2050, as a result of expected changes in population and income levels, the environmental effects of the food system could increase by 50–90% in the absence of technological changes and dedicated mitigation measures, reaching levels that are beyond the planetary boundaries that define a safe operating space for humanity. We analyse several options for reducing the environmental effects of the food system, including dietary changes towards healthier, more plant-based diets, improvements in technologies and management, and reductions in food loss and waste. We find that no single measure is enough to keep these effects within all planetary boundaries simultaneously, and that a synergistic combination of measures will be needed to sufficiently mitigate the projected increase in environmental pressures."

One driving factor of the pollution of the earth ( and there are many ) is the consumption of meat (poultry, beef and pork). Achenbach’s assessment is that “… efforts to keep climate change at an acceptable level won’t be successful without a huge reduction in meat consumption.” Eat your veggies.

Here are some other facts you might find interesting (shocking):

Half the planet’s ice-free land surface is devoted to livestock or the growing of feed for those animals, Richardson said. That’s an area equal to North and South America combined
Some 70 percent of the world’s fresh water is already used in agriculture
Rising income in China and many other formerly impoverished countries brings with it a higher demand for meat and other forms of animal protein
The current food system is incredibly wasteful, with about a third of the food produced eventually being discarded because of spoilage
About 3 billion people are malnourished today and 1 billion of them suffer from food scarcity

Changes in how we treat our planet will come about by either careful planning or necessity. I think we know which one is preferred.

Here Is What We Are Working On … And There’s Plenty

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 03:39:27 GMT

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We are so appreciative of the support everyone showed during our Lynnfield Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on October 2. We prevailed at the hearing and many of you got to speak on behalf of our spring. We know you had other things to do and greatly appreciate your taking the time to attend. Now our work continues.

Our goal is to provide our wonderful water to you and to educate you on what we see are challenges to water supplies around the world. While we note challenges, we also want to provide solutions. As we carry out our mission, we will continue to be focused on writing here on the following issues:

Our Spring – We provide updates on our spring and share the stories of the people who visit it. Our articles contain hyperlinks to the sources of our stories … NO FAKE NEWS HERE! We know that people who visit our website and spring have interest in water and conserving our planet … so we turn you on to news and resources that keep you informed. Here is a good article we found on Indians who have no drinking water when there is a Nestle water bottler nearby ! It is stories like this that we want to bring to your attention.

The Retail Water Markets – We know that you pass through shopping markets and see water labeled as “spring,” “mineral,” “pure,” etc. But what we continue to read about mislabeling of water that is nothing more than filtered/chemically treated water. Lawsuits against giants Nestle and LaCroix provide a disturbing look into what goes into water that many people drink each day. Whether people enjoy these water products for convenience or safety ( public water supplies are another problem ) they trust that these companies and the government organizations that provide oversight will provide a safe product. This may not be the case.

Quality of Our Public Water – We are the first to admit that Boston has done a lot to clean up the harbor and rivers … but it probably had nowhere to go but up! Boston Harbor is the cleanest it has been in decades and the The Charles River is almost swimmable (not that we would recommend that). However, each week we seem to see problems with local water supplies … like in Stoneham .

Plastics And Our Oceans – Our oceans are in trouble . Plastics, overfishing and pollution spilling into the oceans is killing our most abundant resource … WATER! Again, some of these issues hit close to home like this story of seals dying along our coast earlier this year. The specific reasons for this type of damage are not known, but it is clear that it has to do with our continued mistreatment of our oceans. For our part, our business model is based on reusing containers (preferably glass) through vending refills. This eliminates millions of plastic bottles from our landfills and oceans.

Saving Our Planet – We believe that our spring provides a way for people to connect with the earth. It is more than just saving our planet from pollution, it is about getting to know more about the planet so we care enough to save it. To some, our spring has been a place of spiritual enrichment and others a place to meditate in a busy world. There is a spiritual awakening going on around the country and we see it everyday at Boston Clear.

Whatever your reasons for visiting our spring, we thank you. We thank you for sharing your stories and stopping by to talk to us in the office. We thank you for your support and we look forward to serving future generations the finest water in the galaxy!

You Were Heard And The Spring Stays!

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 03:42:07 GMT

It is with gratitude that we inform you that Pocahontas Spring at Boston Clear will remain open . We had so many supporters who stayed until near midnight to hear the Lynnfield ZBA come to its decision. THANK YOU!!

While we will not dwell on the past, we take from this experience just how much this place is loved by so many people. Now we move on to serving you the best water in the galaxy, bringing you life enriching stories and welcoming you to the spring.

Our focus will now turn to serving you better. The coming water crisis (both the shortage of and its treatment by chemicals) is a growing concern. In India, where access to clean water has become a health crisis, one technology company has started water ATMs around cities . The company, Janajal , is at the forefront of delivering water to millions of people in India. We see that same trend here in the U.S. as there are numerous reports on how cities are struggling to deliver clean drinking water to its citizens. In New York, they recently announced a $200 million plan to provide clean water. It will take years to implement, so what do citizens do until then?

Bottled water is an issue. It creates other problems such as concerns for how plastics interact with the water and the disposal of the plastic container. In some situations, there will always be a need for plastic bottles, but the days of lifeless water being stacked on pallets at the store will come to an end as consumers demand that their water offer something more than H2O.

The future of water is upon us and your support for our spring means that we will be her to be a part of the solution to the coming water crisis. From all of us at Boston Clear …. THANK YOU!

A Mineral Spring With A Spiritual Side

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 03:50:44 GMT

We welcome everyone to drink our water and we want you to come to our spring.

Each day people come down the long drive, park near our red building, pull out their containers and fill them. We love seeing you, and that is the most important part of our work here. One of the most rewarding experiences is talking with all of you and we marvel when we see parents teaching their children about our natural mineral spring … one more generation.

Sharing a small symbol of love at the spring

Boston Clear’s primary mission is to preserve this special place so that many generations will be nourished by our water and be moved by the peace that surrounds the spring. We learn more about how special our spring is by gathering information on its history and talking with the people who come here. Anyone who knows Anthony and sees him at the spring, knows that they are going to get more than water when they poke their head into his office. It is about sharing, talking and connecting with the earth.

When Anthony purchased the spring, he envisioned a sanctuary for people. That meant cleaning the place. For those of you who have come here for years, you will remember that the previous operators were not only poor at running the spring, they were careless with the land. Anthony had car parts and trash pulled from the wetlands soon after he took ownership. It was an arduous task. While the debris has never had any affect on the quality of water coming into the spring house that is delivered to you through our vending operation, it was tarnishing the history and spirit of the spring.

For centuries, Pocahontas Spring has been a gathering place for people who honored the land surrounding the spring. At times, it meant communing with neighbors and at others it meant a spiritual connection with the earth. That is why it was important for Anthony to create a place where people do more than fill containers, it is a place where people come together … and you have to have respect for any place that brings people together.

The spring is open because we want people to come. Anthony has preserved a peaceful garden where couples come to sit on our bench, individuals come to contemplate difficult decisions and children giggle as they place their hands in a running stream of cold water. You cannot help but feel the magic of this place. Certainly you can find most any place to meditate ( here is a good article we found ) but why not have THE place to go … Pocahontas Spring.

You will see statues and symbols around the property. While they individually may seem to represent a certain faith, belief or heritage, the main message of all of these is that we are all connected. As Anthony is fond of saying of the spring, “This is a hate free zone.”

The spring calls you to come and we will always fulfill our mission to allow you to have access to it … for water, for spiritual healing or for peace.

A Story From A Loyal Customer And WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 03:46:35 GMT

We are always reminded of the quality and character of the people who visit us here at Boston Clear. Each one of you has a story and we honor every one of them. Serving you is our mission, which brings us to one more battle that we must overcome.

Please mark your calendar for October 2, 2018 at 7:30pm for the Lynnfield Zoning Board of Appeals ( TOWN HALL- H. JOSEPH MANEY HEARING ROOM 55 SUMMER STREET, LYNNFIELD, MA ). While we are confident in our position, the neighbors who have lodged their compliant seek nothing less than shutting the spring and leveling all structures on the land. Such an action would be unconscionable. We need everyone’s support … and Andrea’ note, below, is why we work so hard.

Andrea Vallario was drawn to yoga through the interesting blend of spirituality through body sense, philosophy and poetry. She began practice by studying with a variety of styles and teachers and almost immediately began training with alignment and heart-centered focused styles while maintaining an open internal curiosity toward direction of further study (all from her website). She, like you, is just one of the special caring people who are blessed to to connect with at the spring. Here is a letter that she wrote to us and gave us permission to share it here:

"With hope I write to tell a little of my story. I have been working through some health issues for some time now, and have come to find what I have been looking for in a local practitioner and clinical herbalist. During one of my appointments, he offered to fill my bottle with the water he had in his kitchen. At some point during the session, I was compelled to ask him, since I have been coming to see him some time, and every time I enjoy water from his home, my body would seem to respond positively. I noticed a difference in taste, how my body felt, and how it responded to drinking the water that was offered. He of course shared a little bit about how most people get their water supply. And although for 3 years I have been appreciating the purified, filtered water from my place of work, it tasted nothing like the water that was given to me at my practitioners home.

Since that time in the office, I have been making trips, approx 40 min drive) to Boston Clear Water and sharing what I have with friends. It’s worth it. I feel a sense of foundational support when I drink the water from the spring, something noticeably different from the water from work, or any other filtered or bottled water which I have had over the years. I even do my best to ration it while working for I feel a sense of emptiness in the water that is not from BCW.

Additionally, I write to support BCW mission to provide safe and healthy, affordable drinking water to many people in our area. And most importantly, I feel a sense of peace and welcome when I am at the site, with it’s prayers, statues, candles, sanctuary. I notice how the people who come all have a sense of gratitude and warmth, one of generosity and peace. When I am there, I feel like we are all together receiving blessings of nature and giving back.

Please consider the words of many who come here for healing and how we walk away in better spirits with an attitude of service and responsibility to each other.

        Thank you,
        Sincerely,
        Andrea Vallario
        Andrea Vallario RN, RYT 500"

A Registered Nurse Speaks Out About Her Search For Clean Water

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:05:55 GMT

Our own Anthony Gattineri on his way to Manitou Springs, CO … connecting the water.

We love sharing stories of people who either visit our spring or share our love of springs.

Mary Richardson (BA, MS, RN, IBCLC) is a registered nurse who is on a search for clean water. So much so that she moved from her home in central Pennsylvania to Manitou Springs, CO (1,600 miles !!!!).

Mary shares a pic of a glass of water from Manitou Springs

She reached out to us at Boston Clear on her journey across the country and her passion for mineral water. Mary informed us that there is a worldwide Baby Friendly movement , a group dedicated to standardizing care for infants … clean water being one of them. However, clean water for babies is not the only thing they need, they need nourishment that comes from a mother’s milk … so when some hospitals encourage powder formula, we introduce a water problem. According to Baby-Friendly USA , U.S. hospitals that have received a Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) designation must follow certain rules about when and how they offer formula to new parents.

Young mothers, parents, are looking for guidance in their first days after giving birth. Some hospitals provide free formula for newborns (courtesy of large formula makers like Nestle). The fact is, this sort of give-away deters women from wanting to breast feed and then mothers’ milk soon dries up. The result is that we have too many babies on formula that would be much better served having something better for them. Mary recognizes that mothers can choose, but are they getting all the facts to make the right choice or are these choices driven by profit?

Many doctors recommend breast feeding for up to a year. So how many mothers choose breast feeding for their child? In the U.S., about 80% of women start out breastfeeding but a number of studies suggest that this percentage drops off quickly after the first month of life. Only about half of U.S. babies (51.8 percent) are still breastfeeding at 6 months of age … by the time the child is one year old, only 34% are being breastfed. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC):

“Many mothers begin breastfeeding but need community support to help them overcome challenges they may face in the hospital, when they go home, or after they return to work. This support might include breastfeeding education programs, improved maternity care practices in hospitals, peer and professional support for moms; and adequate space and equipment to breastfeed or express breast milk in workplaces and childcare centers.”

A look at a map of breastfeeding statistics reveals a concern that some states, particularly the poorer states, experience shorter breastfeeding terms for their babies … the population in these states, the ones who can least afford additional costs, appear to choose the additional cost for formula over babies’ health. That just does not make sense!

While Mary acknowledges these challenges, many hospitals do not fully inform mothers of the dangers associated with formula along with the great benefits of breast feeding. As Mary put it, “Hospitals hand out formula like it’s candy. I love babies, being a mom/baby nurse and when I found out, well my heart collapsed.”

Mary presented all the information she could to the hospital about the trap in which they were putting new mothers and their newborns. They took a tough stand and when Mary saw that there was no hope of her employer becoming “Baby Friendly,” she made the move. Now, living in Colorado, she has found a new hospital and a new way of life.

The springs in Colorado are renowned and Mary has visited a number of them in the area. One of the things we noted was that one of the websites we visited about the springs said that they believed that the springs “once were thought to have healing powers.” Mary said they absolutely have healing powers! The photo here is one Mary snapped on her porch enjoying a cool glass of water.

So what makes Manitou so special :

"Rainwater and snow melt from Pikes Peak and surrounding mountains soak into rock fractures. As the water penetrates to great depth, it becomes heated and mineralized. The warm water naturally flows up into cavernous limestone where it becomes carbonated, then issues from the numerous natural and drilled springs throughout Manitou. Because the water takes thousands of years to complete its journey from mountain sources, it is totally free of industrial and atmospheric contamination."

Makes us thirsty just thinking about it. As for Mary, she loves her move but misses her home in Pennsylvania. Her dedication to exposing how big companies trade babies’ health for profit is to be commended. Her hope is that the comradery among her new co-workers will spark some renewed energy to fight on. Mary said,

“I think of our children and the future for our planet every day and feel I have a moral obligation to do my part. I want to leave this world a better place. My voice may not be the best, but I have one.”

Mary believes that the lack of information on what we ingest has spread to our water. As she put it, we believe we can turn on the faucet and the water that comes out is safe … it is not. Like formula, it is full of chemicals that imitate the real thing but fall short. Mary told me, “We have to realize that we are taking toxins into our body if we drink water from a tap. As a society we have to realize that we are causing our own diseases. The search for pure, natural, nourishment will help us all live long, happier, lives.”

Mary asked me to share a poem she wrote about how big companies are robbing our babies. We with her luck in her new life and will certainly keep you all posted on her spring journey:

FIRST ONE IS ALWAYS FREE

Dealers of liquid formula, pushed through open doors,

Supplying a neighborhood nursery, non-“Baby Friendly” floor.

Watchful nurses taking note, heed this curious sight,

Bottles appear mysteriously, cloak and dag by night.

Central nursery cabs and bins, always plumply stocked,

Ready to feed formula, complete with swanky tops.

Polished logos shining bright, glossy picture themes,

Fess uncertain knowledge and quite possibly, malice schemes.

Special hand-held bottles, come desperate to defend,

We comprehend, we realize, our moms are hooked again.

We’re solemn and profess our part, and wipe our conscience clean,

“Just one to help a real tired mom, we pray she doesn’t wean.”

We struggle to unravel, this contorted paradigm,

You see, breastfeeding education, demands a massive chunk of time.

Working thru the dead of night, grim reality sets in,

There is no rest, we do our best, keep baby skin-to-skin.

Request for aide and some relief, a real Lactation Team?

I guess for now, yet somehow, tonight we only dream.

Bravely marching forward, call bells unending ring,

We require reinforcement troops, to fight this dreadful thing.

We have borne some heavy losses, during these Baby Friendly Times,

We call upon our government to halt these human crimes.

The WHO CODE needs our grave support, to protect the weak and poor,

From predatory companies, with delusions of grandeur.

Our under-education is a disrespectful shame,

To not call out an industry, that both profits and seeks to maim.

Ours moms and babes deserve better, though a third world-wide apart,

We stand united together, until death do us part.

– Mary Laura Richardson

We Welcome Those Who Are Coming From North Reading

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 04:07:23 GMT

As we always do, we talk to our customers visiting the spring. We have noticed a number of you who were getting water from New England Water in North Reading. WELCOME!

For the people who you met over the years while vending at NE Water, please share our location with those who are now looking for mineral spring water. We are located at 165 Lowell Street in Lynnfield, MA … look for our sign!

Boston Clear and Pocahontas Spring is different from any mineral water you will ever drink or experience you will ever have.

First, you are welcome to take a moment before, during or after filling your container to find a moment of peace in our sanctuary on the side of the building next to the spring house. There you can listen to the water trickle into the healing pool that has been a part of Native American history for centuries. All faiths are welcome and many just come to find a place to be close to the earth. Light a candle, sit on our bench and take in Mother Nature.

Our water comes directly from the spring house (no idea how old it is but it was before the creation of the United States), through a filter to remove any small particles, like rocks that could come up through the earth, and then the water passes an ultraviolet light destroying any bacteria. The water is then dispensed into your container.

Bring your own container, we can accommodate any size container. If you need a container, we offer our own glass jugs is cases (4 1-gallon containers) for a donation of $20. When our offices are open, please stick your head in, share a story with the protector of the spring, and get your bottles. We recommend that you store water in a dark, cool place until your drink in your home.

Our business is PEOPLE … we just also happen to provide the most amazing water on the planet. We want to hear from you about your experience at Boston Clear so keep coming back to our blog, check out our Facebook and we Tweet stories of interest related to water, our planet, spiritual healing and health.

In a time when there are so many stories of water contamination throughout our area, come to a source of water that has been in operation for over 100 years … a place where people have gathered to celebrate life for centuries.

We are conveniently located in a Hate Free Zone … all are welcome.

For those who are new to the spring, tell your friends about us and let us know what you think of our water by emailing us at aqua@BostonClearWater.com … or just stop by and tell us a story!

And The Story Continues … No Decision On Boston Clear’s Operation

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 04:09:30 GMT

Thanks to everyone who came out last night to support Boston Clear. The Lynnfield ZBA clearly made note that they heard from many of you about how important our water is to you. However, they did not hear the case because of other cases that were scheduled before us.

For those who showed up Tuesday at 7:30pm, it was over 3 hours and 30 minutes before ZBA Chairman John Fallon recognized the Boston Clear case. It was clear, no pun intended, that our case would not be heard and it was also clear that the position of the neighbors who have started this needless fight are not backing down. Their goal is to close the spring and have everything on the lot razed.

Boston Clear is scheduled to be the first case on the agenda on October 2, 2018 … 7:30pm at Al Merritt (600 Market Street, Lynnfield, MA). One of the items that members of the committee said will NOT be part of the discussion is the quality of the water. What?! Among themselves they talked about our case and how the next meeting would proceed. In those comments they recognized that the water is high quality and that a number of people have reached out to them about how important it is that the spring remain open. Even so, Chairman Fallon said of the upcoming decision, “One of the parties will leave here aggrieved after the next meeting.”

The decision before the ZBA is a big one for us because it is about our ability to serve you water. That decision is even more important because of the continued cases of dirty, undrinkable water in towns around Boston, particularly here in Lynnfield. That the ZBA would consider closing this important water supply is unconscionable.

Boston Clear has submitted its position that the spring has been in operation for over 100 years. Anthony Gattineri purchased the spring with the intention of allowing people to continue to have access to the spring … that has meant nourishing water and a place to find peace. Anthony’s commitment to the spring can be felt by everyone he meets at the spring. His handshake, his exchanging of stories, his personal knowledge of the people who visit, all are from an era that seems to echo back to a time lost … a time that our parents told us that once existed … a time when people genuinely cared about one another.

We ask for your support because we think that this decision by the ZBA must be something other than zoning, because that question was answered long ago. Boston Clear obtained affidavits and has spent tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees just to track down people who have had to have their lives interrupted to give a statement that says, “I saw this spring open and people buying water there on a specific date.” It is madness and the neighbors have gone to great lengths to harm our little company … and in turn, the people who want to come here.

This upcoming decision is about citizens’ rights to clean drinking water and a place to find peace, to worship as free people.

Stay tuned, we will be organizing our support efforts in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, you can still expect to see a welcoming smile on Anthony’s face and to be able to purchase the finest water in the universe.

One More Meeting In Lynnfield Regarding Boston Clear

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 04:13:33 GMT

Boston Clear will once again be defending your rights to be able to come get our precious water in a Lynnfield Zoning Board of Appeal Meeting on Tuesday, September 11 (7:30pm) at AL MERRITT CENTER 600 MARKET STREET LYNNFIELD, MA 01940

The issue is that there are four neighbors who do not want the spring to operate. The four dominated a past ZBA meeting that consumed hours of time leading to no decision in the Boston Clear case and pushed back other cases that Lynnfield needed to address.

We are confident in our ability to move forward and hope that this meeting is the last so that we can move on and focus on serving our customers. In times like this ,where clean water is a crisis in this country, we need to have a clean source for our families. Many water supplies in the area, including that of Lynnfield Central Water District , are have trouble delivering clean water to its customers.

First, you need to know that a decision was made that Boston Clear could operate … thus the spring has remained open as it has for over 100 years. However, four neighbors near the spring complained, thus the appeal. ( Here is the agenda that breaks down the case ).

The CASE #18-14 Mary Bliss, Andrew Gallucci, Willis O’Brien and John Sievers, 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield 01940. Here are the three issues these neighbors raised:

1) Boston Clear Water Company, LLC is unlawfully practicing a commercial use in a residential district (Single Residence C district) at 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA 01940, as there is insufficient evidence to establish that a lawful preexisting non-conforming commercial use ever existed on said property.

2). To the extent that commercial activity was ever lawfully permitted at 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA, as a lawful preexisting non-conforming use prior to the adoption of Zoning in Lynnfield, said use was unlawfully extended without relief from the Lynnfield Zoning Board and therefore is not protected from zoning enforcement as a lawful preexisting non- conforming use.

3). To the extent that commercial activity was ever lawfully permitted at 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA, as a lawful preexisting non-conforming use prior to the adoption of Zoning In Lynnfield, all of said uses have since been abandoned for a a period of two (2) years, and therefore the use is no longer lawful and is not protected from zoning enforcement as a lawful preexisting non-conforming use, nor can the use of the property revert to commercial.

The requested relief from these four neighbors is as follows:

"Order Boston Clear Water Company, LLC to immediately and forever cease and desist from all commercial use and related activity at 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA. B. Order Boston Clear to remove all tangible commercial items and vehicles of every kind from 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA. C. Order the immediate demolition and removal of all commercial structures and debris at 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA. D. Provide any further relief and issue any and all other orders and remedies the Board may deem appropriate and necessary to forever stop, enjoin, andremedy all of Boston Clear’s ongoing Zoning violations occurring at 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA"

We are confident in our approach and while we have grown weary of these unfounded complaints, it is time to move put closure to this matter.

Lend your voice and tell the ZBA what you think about the spring and its importance to your life. You can contact the ZBA here or come to the meeting and let them know yourself.

We want to write more on the issues that are important to you … this one is important and we hope it is resolved tomorrow, we have more important work to do saving lives and the planet.

Can The Public Water System Ever Be Fixed? Probably Not

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 04:15:32 GMT

As we hear from all of those who stop by the spring, we are convinced that there are so many issues with our public water treatment facilities. Our customers share their stories of why they come and more are telling us that they were driven here because they believe in the healing qualities of our water. However, they also tell us that they no longer trust the water supply from their own town’s water system.

Your stories inspire us to do more outreach. Beyond reaching out to the local residence of Lynnfield, MA who have been affected by discolored water that city officials think is “safe to drink,” we try to bring you stories to share in your network about the challenges we face in finding safe drinking water. It is a challenge.

In New Hampshire, there were 14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease from contaminated water systems at the Sands Resort at the end of July or beginning of August, including one person who died. This contamination is circulated back through the public water system and treated with known strong chemicals like Chlorine . We just do not believe that adding more chemicals to water is the best long term solution for bringing clean water to our faucets. The truth is, that may never happen.

The cost for “fixing” Lynnfield’s water supply was estimated to be from between $4 million (local fix) and $30 million (tie into the state water supply) and will take years. We are not even sure what “fixed” means because if it just means the water is clear, we still cannot be sure of the chemicals still contained in it. Also, the fix means that it even if the water was drinkable at the treatment plant, could it still be so after traveling miles in aging pipes? The cost of replacing every pipe, up to the point of where it comes out of the faucet would be cost prohibitive for any town like Lynnfield and there are THOUSANDS OF TOWNS LIKE LYNNFIELD.

Drinking water, like what you find at our spring in Lynnfield, comes from deep (we don’t even know how deep) within the earth. The Pocahontas Spring is a gift that has found its way to the surface, through some miracle of nature, to your bottles that you fill here. Those who come to our spring are just the beginning of a movement where people will be retrieving their own drinking water from a trusted source. We cannot imagine a time in the foreseeable future where this trend changes.

We keep our water affordable, available and pure. Your coming to our spring reminds us of the trust you have instilled in us and the commitment we have made to the community … to the world.

Back To School With Nothing To Drink

Sat, 01 Sep 2018 04:20:48 GMT

In Detroit, MI, students were welcomed back to school but they were unable to drink from the water fountains!

Detroit Public Schools Community District shut off drinking water at all of the schools after testing revealed that 16 schools had elevated levels of lead and/or copper. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti ordered testing of all schools this spring, after tests in 2016 found elevated levels of the metals. Initial results for 24 schools returned last week found 16 had levels higher than acceptable, he said in the emailed letter. All water sources, including drinking fountains and sinks, were tested. Water is still available for hand washing and toilet flushing. I guess it’s a good idea to wash your hands in “lead and/or copper.”

Before we delve into Detroit, we wanted to take a look at the history of the drinking fountain. Here is an article from the Washington Post (July 2015) :

"The modern era’s first free public water fountain was unveiled in London in 1859. Thousands gathered to watch officials turn on the tap . At its peak, about 7,000 people used the fountain each day. At that time, the rich were buying water brought in from the country. The poor were drinking water bottled from the sewage-infested Thames. Water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid were rampant."

One’s wealth or status should have nothing to do with their availability to safe drinking water. This is particularly true when we talk about those who are most vulnerable, our young children, who drink out of trust.

Those of us who went to school in the 1960s and 1970s, remember drinking from a fountain without a thought that what we might be drinking was harmful. Today, we cannot give those same assurances to students. In Boston, there was a s candal related to high levels of lead and copper found in public drinking water supplies. Now Detroit … this is truly unacceptable. Water, clean water, is a required staple for a good education and our public water systems have failed us in this area.

Let us celebrate the return of kids to school by sending them off with safe water that nourishes both their mind and body. We should not assume that the bubblers in the school halls are sufficient when we have data that says that it may not even be safe in our own homes.

Lynnfield MA Residents Affected By Contamination Get Free Water At Spring

Sat, 01 Sep 2018 04:17:05 GMT

We have people coming from all across the state, across the country, to visit our spring.

Last weekend, we offered free water to Lynnfield, MA residents who provided us with a copy of their Lynnfield Center Water District water bill. We have extended the offer through September 10, and may go beyond that. While the quality of our water is unmatched by any public water supplier on its best day of operation, we want to provide a solution to the community where we operate.

This problem is not unique to Lynnfield. Each week we hear of problems with the water quality from coast to coast … and we are watching.

When you come to the spring simply go to the vending filler to the far left of the red building, turn on the spigot, fill your jug and deposit a copy of your water bill through the mail slot at our front door. Like much of what we do, we rely on the honor system.

While you are at the spring, get to know the person next you. We all come to the spring for reasons that are beyond just filling water containers … we are all searching for something and chances are that “something” is at the spring.

Cheers!!

What Are You Drinking? We Need To Know

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 04:24:00 GMT

Each day we search for good news … news that nourishes our minds as much as our bodies. With that said, we also have to tell you the reality of today … people have the capacity to lie!

People know the potential dangers of treated water ( what are they putting in our drinking water) , so they assume that what is coming from the well has to be safe. Think again!

In Kansas, the state allowed residents in two Wichita-area neighborhoods to drink contaminated water for years without telling them, despite warning signs of contamination close to water wells used for drinking, washing and bathing. What?

During a study for a real estate project, the state actually found dry cleaning chemicals (perchloroethylene) had leached into the ground water but said nothing about it to people who were getting their water from wells. They did not notify the surrounding areas to allow people to test the water themselves. But did they have an obligation to tell those citizens who were off the water grid to check their own water sources? We say YES! However, residents found out 7 years after those tests that their water was polluted. 7 years!!! 7 days would have been an outrage

So what is the priority, the safety of the people or the businesses who dumped the chemicals? According to the Wichita Eagle:

“The Kansas Drycleaner Environmental Response Act was passed at the request of the dry cleaning industry to protect the small businesses from the potentially crippling cost of federal involvement. The Environmental Protection Agency, through its Superfund program, can pay to clean up water pollution and then bill any and all companies ever associated with the property to recover its money. Cleaning up pollution can easily cost millions of dollars; state law limits the liability of a dry cleaning shop to $5,000.”

We are not looking for government solutions but instead are looking for government honesty. We know that there are challenges to providing clean water with a growing population … what we call “prosperity.” We get it! But we do not deserve to be lied to, particularly by public officials. We deserve information to make our choices and when we are deceived we make poor decisions … we act blindly.

We at Boston Clear read about these situations and want to react. We aspire to provide clean water to our residents not only to help them, but to assure them that someone is looking out for them. Our customers have grown to rely on us for delivering water that makes us all better. We plan on delivering on that promise for years to come.

The earth has given this beautiful spring to us and we return it to you. Whether you are on well water or city water, come to our spring and taste, experience, the difference in what water can make in your life.
We have a truck ready to roll! So many places, so many needs.

Lynnfield, MA Residents – Boston Clear Offers Free Drinking Water Amid Water Concerns

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 04:27:55 GMT

Many of us have assumed that the water that comes from our faucet is safe. While we think of Flint, MI as an anomaly of a water system gone awry, the USA Today estimated that tens-of-millions in the US have been exposed to unsafe drinking water. What was a problem for underdeveloped countries has come home to the US.

Now, water issues have hit too close to home and we are here to help. Residents of Lynnfield, MA expressed concerns about the clarity of its water in May, in early August the town took down a water pumping station amid concerns of e coli in its water. Now residents have renewed concern about the discoloration of the water , which engineers attribute to iron and manganese content. A filter is envisioned as a possible solution. People need clean water today and we have a solution!

On Saturday August 25 from 8:00am – 2:00pm and Sunday August 26 from 8:00am – 2:00pm, all customers who provide a copy of their most recent Lynnfield Center Water District bill will receive up to 5 gallons of free, perfectly drinkable water … all from our spring . Bring your own, clean container and we will gladly fill it at no charge. If you need a container, we offer high quality, one-gallon, glass bottles for a $5/each donation.

We are located at 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA 01940.

Be assured that the water you are drinking is the best for you and your family … get your water from Pocahontas Spring!

Holding Public Officials Accountable For Clean Water

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 04:31:08 GMT

f the water crisis in Flint, Michigan taught us one thing, it was that we simply do no know what we are drinking out of the faucet. But when the water has contaminates in it, who should be held responsible and how to they go about cleaning it up?

In Flint, the courts are getting involved and prosecutors are bringing cases against public officials for their role in supplying dirty water to residents. As with many cases of corruption, it is not going to be about the people who contaminated the water, that occurred over a long period of neglect, it is going to be about the person who found out about it and covered it up. In Michigan, public officials are concerned that they could be held accountable by our judicial system for their neglect. It would send a strong message.

According to a report in the USA Today , an outbreak of Legionnaires in disease in Michigan killed 12 people as a result of contamination in the water supply:

"Legionella bacteria can emerge through misting and cooling systems, triggering a severe form of pneumonia, especially in people with weakened immune systems. The state says there were 90 cases reported to Genesee County Health Department in 2014-15, including 12 deaths. More than half of the people had a common thread: They spent time at McLaren Hospital, which was on the Flint water system."

Our guess is that you have no idea who is in charge of the water supply that feeds your city water supply, their credentials, the treatment facility protocol, the chemical process they use to treat the water and the condition of the pipes that deliver the water to your tap. It makes you want to go grab a bottled water, but hold on!

Things that we take for granted in life are some of the things that we need to question most. According to American Prospect, a 2015 study by the American Water Works Association found that if federal recommendations on water monitoring were actually followed, as many as 70 percent of water systems relying on lead service lines could be found to be unsafe … In some cases, utilities have failed to keep records of where lead service lines are even located.

Your water supply is important and the more you know about your water, the more you can make decisions about how it interacts with your family’s life. We should all demand more from our officials, first by having them tell us what is in the water that we are drinking, then asking what actions are taking place to improve it.

The way that we hold people accountable in service to the public is to first find out what they are doing. Sadly, that is where many citizens fall short. However, it is easily remedied with a few properly placed questions.

What’s in your water? Check out E nvironmental Working Group , a non-profit group whose mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. We have no affiliation with the group but we have found their information very valuable, particularly their blogs on water . EWG has done extensive analysis on water throughout the country and can provide an independent report on water in your area. Check it out.

Get information about your water source …. then come to our spring and be confident that our water is the best you can get.

Soda Giant Reacts To Consumer Demand For Refillable Containers

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 04:34:55 GMT

Something old is suddenly new again.

You do not have to be a true tree-hugger to realize that we have a problem with plastic, particularly plastic bottles. We have all seen them blowing down the street and, worse, floating in our oceans and lakes. Left to slowly decompose in our water over many decades, these plastics break down into micro-particals that make their way into the plant and wildlife …. then back to us. Now, big soda makers are making their move, which we applaud but also send a word of caution.

Pepsi has been experimenting with placing Aquafina refilling stations in colleges so that students, many of whom are environmentally conscience, can refill their own bottles. Coca Cola has been doing the same thing with its Dasani brand. If it catches on, look for more machines, and fewer bottles. Along the same line of thinking, Pepsi also announced that it is buying SodaStream … a vertical business decision to turn their plain water into a bubbly plain water. You seen the trend? Refilling your containers is the new black!

Pepsi and Coke can look for ways to fool consumers but those who visit Boston Clear know that their water travels up from the center of the earth, passes through a filter to assure any small debris don’t make it into your water, then it gets a flash of ultraviolet light to kill any bacteria, and then it goes into your jug. You know the supply chain, all in about 50 feet from the source to your bottle, which is something you cannot say about the water from these behemoths who were the same ones who jumped on distributing water after people smartened up about the dangers of the soft drinks they peddled for years. What makes you think these big companies have changed their ways?

We know that many people who visit our spring also support local farmer’s markets because they want to know where are food comes from. We see a trend in the consumer wanting to understand how the products they ingest are brought to their plate (glass) … what is in what we consume … how does what we consume affect the environment … are the things we consume good for us? Boston Clear checks all those boxes.

We are happy that the big companies are coming around to Boston Clear’s way of thinking, but we know that they will be unable to match our quality, sustainability and transparency. We are both a water source and spiritual healing ground … something no big company can replicate.

Tell a friend that there is a new bottling experience trend that may be best experienced by stopping by to see us at 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA …. home of the Pocahontas Spring operated by Boston Clear. A source of mineral water for hundreds of years!

Meet The Man Behind The Spring

Sun, 19 Aug 2018 04:37:22 GMT

You all know that everyone is welcome at the spring and we love seeing you.

You might stop by and see what appears to be a caretaker walking around the property, moving some of the stones around and then returning to sit in the office behind a fold-up table that is his desk. That would be Anthony Gattineri, who purchased the spring in 2014.

Anthony is a successful, life-long entrepreneur. He started work at his father’s dry cleaner, Fashion Clothiers” in Winchester, at the age of 12 years old. He continued to work there after graduating from Bentley College but soon set out on his own ventures. He would eventually start an olive oil distribution company, California Olive Oil Company, As part of that company, Anthony developed a way to atomize oil through a manual pump that eliminated fluorocarbons that were used for cooking sprays. There were skeptics to his approach but it proved to be a big success for Anthony and the environment.

Eventually he sold his company and became involved in real estate. Now, his work is devoted to bringing the magical waters of the spring to the public.

Visitors are sometimes curious and when they see Anthony in the office they knock at the door to ask a questions or two. He loves it! Anthony has never met a stranger and he is happy to speak with anyone who comes to the spring. It is his passion to share information on the spring’s history, its special water, the people who come here and the stories they all share. You cannot walk out of his office without hearing a story and Anthony will not let you leave until you tell him yours.

When Anthony took over the spring the red house that greets you as come down the drive was filled with rusty, outdated equipment, filters were not maintained, pumps and wiring were hazardous and the stone house out back was near collapse. The site had become a teenage hangout after hours and the grounds were littered with beer cans and trash. Anthony immediately saw a vision of what the site could be and started cleaning and making the water that is dispensed to you as pure as it bubbles up from the center of the earth.

The spring is all about stories, so let us share a few with you.

As you come into our spring, you will notice the 1969 Volkwagen (VW) van. The van was purchased to be an icon of a generation that was concerned about the earth and water. To Anthony, it was also a tribute to surfing (water) and he saw the van as a way to give back to the earth. Ideally the van would have already been used to spread the word of Boston Clear and our valuable water, but, unfortunately, complaints were filed by neighbors because it is registered to a former New Hampshire office and we feared retaliation for putting it on the road. To be sure, it will roll again! Those who visit our spring love it and those Flower Children from the 60s take many selfies in front of our beloved VW van … we have even had a few wedding pictures taken there! It should be noted that the tanker parked is also a result of neighbors who complained … so they sit there idle, but only for a bit longer.

Everyone who visits marvels at the 3,500 lb, solid marble statue of St. Anthony statue that is placed just beyond the stonewall reflection pond. Anthony commissioned the statue in 2017 just after his father passed away. The inscription on the statue was inspired by the wisdom he has gained over the years and his eagerness to share it particularly with the children. “Justice, Fairness, Truth,” comes from his experience of seeking justice for everyone, aspiring to always treat people fairly and working to always expose the truth. The placement of the statue came from a vision that Anthony had when he first commissioned the piece.

An addition next to the statue is the plaque “En Reconnaissance A St Antoine Juin 44.” During a trip to Europe in May 2018, Anthony and his wife Lisa took a trip to Normandy, a place where Donato Gattineri, Anthony’s father, was in 1944 … D-Day. Like many young men in the 1940s, Donato enlisted in the United States Army and as fate would have it, became a member of the 79th Reconnaissance Troop where he served as a Tech-5 scout in World War II. Donato fought bravely in the historic battle on Utah Beach in Normandy France, a turning point in the war.

After visiting the beach where his father had been those years ago, he ventured into a nearby church that was undergoing a renovation. He and his wife went into the church and they saw a statue of St. Anthony with the plaque that you now see in the spring. Donato had told a story, just days before his death, about a visit to a church after the battle … could this have been it? Anthony said that it fit the description to a “t”and he was certain that his father was there in June 1944. He searched for the priest of the church and when he found him Anthony said, through an interpreter who happened to volunteer her services, “Can I purchase the plaque?” Anthony told the priest the story and, to the astonishment of his wife, the priest agreed to give the plaque to Anthony and in return Anthony would pay for a replacement. To Anthony, the piece is priceless and now has a permanent home at the spring.

The spring itself is a story and the mosaic of stories of all of those who visit become the fabric that brings us all together. When Anthony is there, and he chooses to be there as much as possible, please say “hello,” and share a story with him. He is as genuine, made in the USA, one of a kind and we are so fortunate to have someone who cares enough to share this special water and very special place.

Anthony knows how much you love the spring and please know that he greatly appreciates all the love you have shown him! He is always deeply moved when people come to the spring, especially mothers who come with their children and expectant mothers. To him, it is a sign of building another generation of health, joyful people.

Through the spring, we are not on enriching lives with our nourishing water, but by your refilling your containers here we are saving millions of plastic bottles entering the world. Together, we all make a difference.

We Have One Word For You: Water

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 04:42:08 GMT

In Mike Nichols’s 1967 film “ The Graduate ,” a 21 year old Benjamin Braddock, played by Dustin Hoffman, is at a cocktail party his parents have thrown to celebrate his college graduation. A friend of Ben’s parents, a businessman named Mr. McGuire, takes Ben aside at the party and says he has one word of advice for him, just one word—and the word is “plastics.”

In 1967, plastic was about to revolutionize the world but today it has created one of the major problems our planet faces. Without getting into the complex issues that have been brought about because of plastics (save for another blog), we do want to present the power of having simple answers in a complex world. Our answer to the future of health and well being is “Water.”

The next time you are on an airplane, take a look at the people who are in first class (not that I would not enjoy sitting there from time to time), but the group is usually made up of business people who have earned the right to sit there, not from paying extra, but from living a life of flying around the country on business … frequent flyers! They are usually haggard executives who are thankful to have been seated first so that they can enjoy a glass of alcohol and a bag of chips, all given to them free of charge. That is a reward? Sounds more like a poisoning.

These people, despite their apparent financial success, can understandably find themselves confiding in friends saying, “I wish I had more energy and felt better.” If I were their friend I would say “Water … start not just any water, but rare, healing water that can only be obtained from a pure source … a place like Pocahontas Spring at Boston Clear. Don’t take our word for it, listen to people who make a career out of healing people.

Jody Hawkins operates Full Circle Health Counseling where she is a Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition coach. Testimonials on her website speak to her work and one of her blogs speaks to our spring ! Not only did Hawkins find water, she discovered a healing spring here in Lynnfield where she takes her family;

Finding this spring and sacred healing spot, has been life changing for us. It came into our lives at exactly the right time, as most things do, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the benefits I have seen.

Another professional who comes to our spring is Regina Schulman. Schulman and Tim DeSutter founded The Infinity Healing Group in Andover, MA. Our water has been a part of their work for years, including Schulman’s volunteer work with women who were trying to overcome sexual and drug abuse issues. “When I was doing some volunteer work,” Schulman said, “the center that was housing these women served soda and chip, which were mostly donated goods.” She said that the joke among the women was that the place was known as 30-30, “If you went for 30 days, you gained 30 pounds.” The fact is that Schulman was trying to change the lives of these women and help them to clear their mind so that they could make a positive change. She needed to get them away from things that were destroying their lives and that included the food they were eating.

Schulman changed one thing within her group and issued a challenge; substitute one soda with one. water. They sat at a table with a gallon of our Pocahontas water, poured some into glasses and talked about the water, what it meant to them and what it was doing to heal their bodies. While nourishing their bodies, the group used Shulman’s encouragement to focus on other, more complex issues … “The water provided a focus for these women so that they could address other issues in their lives.”

How powerful has Schulman’s work been? Take a look at this testimonial filmed at our spring .

We would like to thank the professional nutritionists, faith healers and physicians who visit our spring on behalf of their clients. We welcome you and we welcome them.

If someone asks you what is the one thing they can do to improve their life, tell them “water.” Not water bottled in some factory, wrapped in plastic and shipped to your local grocer, but water that is delivered from the center of the earth as a gift for those who seek to find it.

The Growing Water Crisis Around Us

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 04:45:55 GMT

We know that you bring your containers to our spring searching for a trusted source of clean water. For now, it is mostly a secret that visitors have started to share among their friends and families. By sharing these stories, people learn of the nourishment that our spring provides but we also hear the stories from those who have searched for clean water like ours. We encourage you to share those stories with as many people as possible.

In the future, sites like ours will become more sought after as local water departments are unable to fix the problems of treating the unwanted chemicals in our drinking supply by dumping even more chemicals to remedy it. It is a fruitless effort that is wrought with even more harm to our citizens. Water, the control of water, is going to reach a crisis level here in the U.S. within our lifetime. All the warning signs are there.

The legal war between Georgia and Florida has been going on for years. Georgia, whose growth around Atlanta led to the damming of the Chattahoochee River to form Lake Lanier as a drinking reservoir, has been a source of legal action for years. Florida claims that the river once supplied fresh water to its residents and was necessary for to support oyster (and other wildlife) along the Florida coast. The Supreme Court ruled that Georgia needed to prove that it could continue to hold back the water, signaling that Florida could end up getting more water flow … they the issue becomes, what about Georgia? Yet another water crisis that has already cost both states over $100 million in just legal battles!

Here is the water situation closer to home:

Norton, MA – The city had such bad water last year that they also made the news for brown and smelly water coming from the tap. The solution was patience while a new water plant was being built … completions was scheduled for summer 2019 but delays and cost overruns have put it behind schedule.

Scituate, MA – The water in Scituate, down on the Cape, has a reputation for having bad water flowing from the top. However, today’s water quality has become so bad that the water has both an offensive color and smell. Upset, concerned and angry citizens filled a town hall to let Scituate town officials have a piece of their mind. After a five year project to clean up the water, residents went to a town hall meeting to demonstrate that they are frustrated. According to reports here on Boston 10 (NBC ), residents who even installed filter systems could not keep up with the amount of pipe sediment flowing into their homes. Some residents bagged their filters from home and showed that were so filled with debris that they were rendered useless after just a few days of use. Citizens were assured that by next year, the final patches to the water improvement program will be complete and they can begin an extensive flushing program.

Since our bodies are over 90% water, make a choice to put only the finest water into your body. That water comes from natural sources, rich in earth’s minerals, just like the one at our Pocahontas spring.

Many people who come to our spring travel from miles away to fill their containers … some travel for over an hour. Keep coming and encourage your friends in Norton and Scituate to visit us to get a taste of what pure water from the earth tastes like.

Set your GPS to 165 Lowell Street, Lynnfield, MA 01940. Bring your family, those who are sick, those seeking peace and those who are thirsty for water that is pure. All are welcome.

More Work To Do!

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 04:48:24 GMT

We want to thank you for all of the support you have shown us over the years, especially over the past week as we went before the Lynnfield Board of Appeals.

While we presented our case and were allowed a fair hearing, the ZBA postponed a decision on our spring until a future date (September, October, or later). They allowed us sufficient time to present our case and a few of the neighbors provided their opposition.

If one thing was made clear by this hearing is that we need more tolerance and understanding in the world. It is our belief that the spring provides a hate-free place where people are brought together for a common cause of nutrition and spirituality. We will keep you posted on things but until then, let’s keep the dialogue going on something that is most important to all of us … water!

We heard from you and the Lynnfield ZBA heard from you. THANK YOU! We know how much you love the spring and are especially happy to share some of the posts that we received. Here is one and please keep them coming:

"Dear folks at Boston Clear Water or Pocahontas Spring,

I have been going to this beautiful mineral spring for a few years now and am so grateful that this water has been open to all of us who value fresh and live mineral spring water. This is a rare opportunity! I travel 40 minutes as often as I need to get this water and it is the only water I drink… I have sent many people to the spring who also travel far and wide to get this delicious spring water. Many people feel that this water has improved their health as do I. Beyond being able to get this water to drink, this spring has been a refuge, a beautiful place to go and sit in nature for me. Nestled in this residential neighborhood it is like a surprise retreat place.

I do not understand how this could be closed down and not available to the public! The owners have been so generous in making this available to all. They are certainly not making money there but out of generosity of spirit they make it available because they understand how important good fresh clean water is to those who are interested in health!

Please don’t even consider closing this incredible resource to those of us who value and take advantage of this special water and serene place.

Thank you,

Kailia S."

Kailia, we hear you and we are staying !!!
Keep these stories coming and we are happy to share them.

The Lynnfield ZBA Meeting Is Tonight, Honoring Our Customers

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 04:51:49 GMT

Tonight is the Lynnfield Zoning Board of Appeals meeting regarding our spring and, more importantly, your ability to come to it for water. While we intend to honor our spring by working to share it with all of you, we are there to honor your rights to come to our spring for its healing waters.

A few people have spoken out to restrict this site and that means a lot more people have to speak out about keeping the spring open. We are confident in our ability to overcome these obstacles and in doing so have rediscovered our purpose in serving many of you.

As a result of the many letters and input that we have received, we are going to start a series of posts on the people who visit our spring. We find many of your stories inspirational and visitors to our spring represent a special community of people who are committed to the movement of clean water.

Here is one of the letters we recently received in support of our spring that was also sent to the Zoning Board of Appeals (the author was kind enough to share the letter):

"Dear Lynnfield Zoning Board,

Many years ago a good friend of mine told me about Pocahontas Spring in Lynnfield. He explained the amazing taste, high quality and health benefits. Knowing that this person practices a healthy lifestyle and in his quest to be healthy to find the perfect water, he researched many different types of water and what is the best for our bodies; I buried it in the back of my mind knowing that one day this information would be of use to me.

About a year ago I decided to give it a try. The water is so fresh and crisp it is like drinking water that flows from a glacier! I was immediately addicted! For many years my liver was sluggish from all of the toxins and metals from tap and bottled water. My liver now feels great and I have lost 30 lbs. I also believe that drinking from plastic water bottles is very toxic to our bodies and not very good for our earth. I can’t even imagine how many plastic bottles are in our dumps and in our oceans!

Every week I drive to Lynnfield with 8 glass gallon jugs, and fill them and return home to enjoy this wonderful water all week with my family of three and 2 cats.

I have tried to find another Spring similar to this in Florida where I will eventually live part-time. It just does not exist! We are so very, very lucky to have this Spring in Lynnfield. Honestly it is helping a lot of people for many health reasons. When I fill my jugs, I am usually the only one there the property is so quiet and peaceful. I also take a peek at the Spring in the back and say thanks for this delicious and hydrating water. This is a precious gift from nature to us, please allow the Spring to remain open.

– Jeanne F."

The Spring Hears You, Let Lynnfield ZBA Hear You Now

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 04:54:44 GMT

There are feelings that motivate us into action, one of those is love. We are extremely thankful for the outpouring of support to protect the water that flows from deep in the earth to this sacred spring in Lynnfield.

Springs have provided life, hope and joy around the world. Our spring is no exception and we appreciate everyone of you who have taken the time to visit us. We know that people not only come to fill their containers with our mineral water, but most take time to visit our peaceful pools. This link between water and spirit is what makes our spring so special.
As you know from our previous blog, we asked you to reach out to the Lynnfield Zoning Board of Appeals to let them know how you feel about the spring. While we have a team to represent us at the upcoming meeting, it is your support that secures our future. The ZBA has heard from you and WE continue to hear from you. Here are a few of our favorites:

My wife and I live in Bedford and we discovered this beautiful source of clean natural spring water only recently. My wife has been struggling with serious health problems for a very long time. She has numerous allergies and has bad reactions to many things that the rest of us take for granted and do not think twice about. Water has always been something of a struggle for her, since the chlorine and other additives in municipal tap water have bothered her stomach.

I found the Boston Clear Water Company online and I took her to the spring to fill some containers. She loved the water and the look of happiness on her face when she could drink it without her stomach becoming upset was something I will never forget. We recently found out about the issues that the Boston Clear Water Company is facing with their abutters. We are afraid that this amazing and historical spring will be shut down and no one will be able to benefit from the water again, including my sick wife.

I would like to respectfully request that the Lynnfield ZBA consider how important this water is to people like my wife and to find a solution to allow us all to continue to enjoy it for years to come. I know that as a new customer, I would gladly pay more in order to continue to get this water.

– Alex M.

I have very fond memories of visiting that spring as a child with my father, who has now passed. Closing the spring to the public would be such a heartbreaking travesty. The spring provides a connection for everyone to nature that is increasingly scarce in our busy industrial and computer driven world. For many of us it also provides a closer connection to family. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to shut down such a beautiful natural blessing. Please don’t allow this to occur.

– Melita P.

My friends have come to the spring for years. I am writing on their behalf. I have come once and sensed the healing properties of the water and the place. Please Boston Clear Water open for the public. It is too precious not to be.

– Maria C.

Keep those comments coming as we are happy to post them here. Your voice is making a difference so let the Lynnfield ZBA know how you feel. We plan on letting them know how we feel !!!

In the meantime, we will get back to work bringing you the finest water in the universe.

Keeping Our Spring Open To The Public

Sat, 04 Aug 2018 04:56:35 GMT

At Boston Clear, we let the water do all the talking … well the water is talking these days!

Our spring was recently featured in the Lynnfield Weekly New s about legal issues we have as a result of some people who are seeking to shut down our the spring. Rest assured, we have a team of dedicated professionals who represent both our and your interest in preserving this amazing place. We thought the article was fair and we were glad to hear a satisfied customer being quoted as saying, “The water is so good, it’s like a fine glass of wine.” We could not agree more!

We are fortunate to have so many wonderful people who come to our spring, for water, to meditate, or just out of curiosity. No matter their reasons, we welcome everyone and offer a place of refuge, hope and nourishment. However, a very small group of people have chosen to challenge our right to serve you and your right to come to our spring. We are confident that we will prevail because the basis for our defense is based on truth where opponents of the spring have theirs founded in deception.

Some of the same people who are now trying to stop your access to the spring, are taking water from it. While their true motives remain hidden, we believe, based on their complaints, they are intolerant of certain religious and spiritual beliefs that are freely displayed on our site. It is truly sad because we have welcomed everyone, no matter their beliefs, race or gender …. All are welcome.

We use this platform to communicate with those we serve and we welcome your comments. Your support is critical to our success and will play an important role in the decisions city officials in Lynnfield make concerning our spring. There is a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Tuesday, August 7 at 7:30pm where issues concerning the spring will be discussed. You can reach out to board members by clicking on their name sending them a note about

    Why you come to the spring
    How long you have been coming (whether you are a first timer or been coming for years)
    Why it is important that it remain openLet the board members know how you feel ( click here to go to ZBA website ) or email us at aqua@bostonclearwater.com. … we would love to hear from you and will gladly pass on your comments at the Lynnfield ZBA.Enjoy our water and look for updated posts.

– The Spring

The Source Mission

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 04:58:03 GMT

The Source Mission has begun. The healing, living mineral water of the Pocahontas Mineral Spring flows from deep within the Earth, down into the Ipswich River and to the Atlantic Ocean. Water is the most nurturing of all the elements. We turn to water when we need comfort. There is no life without water. Water feels safe to us — for it was water that first held us in the womb. Next to the air we breathe, water is the most important thing we will ever put in our bodies. It is surprising that little attention is given to the quality and effect of the water that we consume. Most is chlorinated, bottled or filtered tap water, not a living natural mineral spring water. The Creator has given us this Source that we must protect and steward.

The Native Americans have shown us that the Sacred Source holds many powers, for it was their ancestors that lived on this site over 400 years ago until their interaction with the English and that the land they “owned” was no longer their land. Native Americans who long ago traveled over this landscape that we call today “our” front yard and backyard, and along “our” rivers, and through “our” forests. Much of “our” land could be considered “hallowed ground.” Their way of life revolved around The Source for their existence and healing of their infants. This sacred property sits on the vortex of one of the most powerful ley lines and is considered a mother source of ancient old water from the creation of the earth. With much respect to Mother Earth and the Creator, it is The Source Mission to bring back and give back what it has given us.

Oil & Water Do Mix!

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 02:22:35 GMT

Innovation in olive oil packaging processing techniques have been the same since its existence. It wasn’t until Anthony Gattineri brought back the basic product from Italy that he decided to add a new dimension—to westernize it. The blending of extra virgin oils to achieve optimum pallet tastes, as he claims, is to suit the American pallet. Twenty years ago, the green color of strong extra virgin oil was frowned upon and the peppery flavor had been considered inedible.