Massachusetts
Water quality data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
Water Systems
3,929
Active public water systems
Population Served
10.38M
Residents with piped water
Lead Violations
46
Systems exceeding 15 ppb
Copper Violations
249
Lead & Copper Rule
Average Lead Level
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
MCLG (health goal): 0 ppb
Average across 992 systems with reported lead data.
Violations Detected
295 water systems in Massachusetts have reported violations under the Lead and Copper Rule. These utilities are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Water Systems: Highest Lead Levels
| System Name | City | Population | Lead Level | Status | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOSTON | 675,647 | 22.50 ppb | Violation | 2025-12-31 | |
| MALDEN | 66,263 | 17.90 ppb | Violation | 2025-12-31 | |
| MEDFORD | 61,700 | 15.50 ppb | Violation | 2025-12-31 | |
| BEVERLY | 47,461 | 13.00 ppb | OK | 2007-12-31 | |
| FALL RIVER | 94,000 | 12.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| MELROSE | 29,357 | 10.20 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| SOMERSET | 18,303 | 10.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| IPSWICH | 13,090 | 10.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| HOLYOKE | 40,124 | 9.00 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| QUINCY | 106,000 | 8.74 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| READING | 27,358 | 8.39 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| WINTHROP | 19,316 | 8.30 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| GRAFTON | 10,925 | 8.30 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| REVERE | 62,186 | 8.05 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| CAMBRIDGE | 118,214 | 8.00 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 |
Showing top 15 of 917 systems with lead data. Action level: 15 ppb.
Systems With Active Violations
These water systems have exceeded EPA limits and must take corrective action.
BOSTON · Pop. 675,647
Lead: 22.50 ppb (2025-12-31)
WORCESTER · Pop. 206,518
Lead: 2.00 ppb (2024-12-31)
MALDEN · Pop. 66,263
Lead: 17.90 ppb (2025-12-31)
MEDFORD · Pop. 61,700
Lead: 15.50 ppb (2025-12-31)
HINGHAM · Pop. 45,339
Lead: 1.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
FITCHBURG · Pop. 41,946
Lead: 5.00 ppb (2026-12-31)
LEOMINSTER · Pop. 41,683
Lead: 2.80 ppb (2025-12-31)
SHREWSBURY · Pop. 38,325
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-06-30)
MARSHFIELD · Pop. 34,000
Lead: 4.00 ppb (2024-12-31)
FRANKLIN · Pop. 33,399
Lead: 2.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
STOUGHTON · Pop. 29,281
Lead: 3.00 ppb (2025-06-30)
BRIDGEWATER · Pop. 28,633
Lead: 4.00 ppb (2024-12-31)
Water Source Types
Air Quality
GoodAvg AQI
41.2
PM2.5
5.4 µg/m³
Unhealthy Days
2
Primary Pollutant
Ozone
Source: EPA AirNow & American Lung Association 2024 State of the Air. AQI scale: 0–50 Good · 51–100 Moderate · 101–150 Sensitive Groups · 151+ Unhealthy.
PFAS Contamination
High DetectionPFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment and human body. The EPA set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in April 2024. View national PFAS tracker →
Systems Tested
548
PFAS Detected
439
Detection Rate
80.1%
Exceeding MCL (4 ppt)
181(33.0%)
Highest recorded level: 142 ppt (EPA MCL: 4 ppt). EWG: 439 systems above proposed limits (2nd highest nationally). MassDEP estimates 181 systems will need action under 4 ppt MCLs. State has own stricter standards (6 ppt combined sum). Saint-Gobain/Chemours industrial sources