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Massachusetts Water Quality
328
Utilities in database
10.0M
Residents served
18%
On private wells
3
Key contaminants tracked
Drinking Water in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 328 community water systems serving approximately 10.0 million residents. Primary water sources include surface water. The most commonly reported contaminants include lead, disinfection byproducts, nitrates. 18% of Massachusetts residents rely on private wells. DEP holds primary enforcement authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Utilities in Massachusetts
201–225 of 328Williamstown Water Dept
MA1341000 · 7,326 served
Middleton Water Dept.
MA3184000 · 7,255 served
Lunenburg Water District
MA2162000 · 7,219 served
Merrimac Water Department
MA3180000 · 7,193 served
West Boylston Water District
MA2321000 · 7,132 served
Spencer Water Department
MA2280000 · 7,037 served
Sterling Water Department
MA2282000 · 6,754 served
Groveland Water Department
MA3116000 · 6,743 served
Orange Water Dept
MA1223000 · 6,526 served
Townsend Water Department
MA2299000 · 6,500 served
Devens Massdevelopment
MA2019001 · 6,500 served
Dalton Fire District
MA1070000 · 6,330 served
Rowley Water Department
MA3254000 · 6,283 served
South Hadley Fire District #2 Water Dept
MA1275001 · 6,200 served
Town of Eastham
MA4086095 · 6,199 served
Templeton Munic. Light and Water Plant
MA2294000 · 6,152 served
Tisbury Water Works
MA4296000 · 6,082 served
Hopedale Water Department
MA2138000 · 6,017 served
Lancaster Water Department
MA2147000 · 6,000 served
Otis Air National Guard Base
MA4096001 · 6,000 served
Marion Water Division
MA4169000 · 5,761 served
Winchendon Water Department
MA2343000 · 5,706 served
Rutland Water Department
MA2257000 · 5,605 served
Lincoln Water Dept
MA3157000 · 5,593 served
Dudley Water Department
MA2080000 · 5,515 served
Key Contaminant Concerns in Massachusetts
Lead
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that was widely used in plumbing infrastructure until it was banned for new installations in 1986. An estimated 9.2 million lead service lines still connect homes to public water mains across the United States, along with millions of homes with lead solder in their internal plumbing.
Nitrates
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a nitrogen-containing compound that forms naturally through the decomposition of organic matter. At elevated concentrations — almost always from human activity — nitrate interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen. The United States produces over 23 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually, making agricultural runoff the dominant source of nitrate contamination.
DBPs
When utilities add chlorine to water to kill pathogens, it reacts with dissolved organic matter — leaves, algae, soil — to produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Over 600 DBPs have been identified. The EPA regulates two groups: total trihalomethanes (TTHMs, including chloroform) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). DBP levels tend to be highest in surface water systems and in warm months when organic matter is elevated.
Massachusetts Water FAQs
Quick Links
Data source: Utility data from EPA SDWIS. 328 active community water systems ingested. CCR contaminant data ingestion in progress.
Last updated: 2026-04-19