Massachusetts Water Quality & Safety Report
45 ZIP codes · 79 water systems · State-specific plumbing code · Updated 2026-03-16
Data: EPA SDWIS, NWS, State plumbing boards, Rewiring America Last verified: 2026-03-16
Overview
We track water quality, weather alerts, plumbing regulations, and energy rebates for 45 ZIP codes across Massachusetts, covering 79 community water systems that serve approximately 5,262,851 people.
24 of 45 ZIP codes (53%) have recorded EPA violations. 27 health-based violations have been documented.
Active Weather Alerts
3 active alerts in Massachusetts including 1 warning. Severe weather can directly affect tap water quality — flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage may lead to boil-water advisories.
| Alert | Severity | Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Flood Watch | Severe | Hartford; Tolland; Windham; Western Franklin; Eastern Fra… |
| Flood Watch | Severe | Northern Litchfield; Southern Litchfield; Northern Berksh… |
| High Wind Warning | Severe | Central Middlesex County; Western Essex; Eastern Essex; W… |
View all Massachusetts alerts →
Plumbing Regulations
Massachusetts follows the Massachusetts Plumbing Code (248 CMR) (Current edition).
- Plumbing code: State-specific (Current)
- Homeowner DIY: Licensed plumber required
- Water heater permit: Required
- Annual backflow test: Required
Full Massachusetts regulations →
Energy & Water Rebates
Across 44 tracked ZIP codes in Massachusetts, residents have access to an average of 1 water-related rebate program — including incentives for heat pump water heaters, efficient fixtures, and plumbing upgrades.
Check rebates for your ZIP code →
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02554 | Nantucket | — | 195 | 0 | WANNACOMET WATER COMPANY |
| 01830 | Haverhill | — | 38 | 0 | HAVERHILL WATER DEPT |
| 02324 | Bridgewater | — | 23 | 4 | BRIDGEWATER WATER DEPARTMENT |
| 02348 | Lakeville | — | 14 | 0 | CLARK SHORES WATER CORPORATION |
| 01803 | Burlington | — | 12 | 0 | BURLINGTON WATER DEPT |
| 02451 | Waltham | — | 10 | 0 | WALTHAM WATER DEPARTMENT |
| 01810 | Andover | — | 9 | 3 | ANDOVER WATER DEPT |
| 01821 | Billerica | — | 7 | 7 | BILLERICA WATER WORKS |
| 02360 | Plymouth | — | 7 | 0 | PLYMOUTH WATER DEPARTMENT |
| 02184 | Braintree | — | 6 | 0 | BRAINTREE WATER AND SEWER DEPT. |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01013 | Chicopee | — | CHICOPEE WATER DEPT (MWRA) | 55,560 |
| 01060 | Northampton | — | NORTHAMPTON WATER DIVISION | 29,571 |
| 01201 | Pittsfield | — | PITTSFIELD DPU WATER DEPT | 43,927 |
| 01450 | Groton | — | GROTON WATER DEPARTMENT | 5,456 |
| 01580 | Westborough | — | WESTBOROUGH WATER DEPARTMENT | 21,567 |
| 01601 | Worcester | — | WORCESTER DPWP, WATER SUPPLY DIVISION | 206,518 |
| 01701 | Framingham | — | FRAMINGHAM WATER DEPT. (MWRA) | 72,362 |
| 01840 | Lawrence | — | LAWRENCE WATER WORKS | 88,877 |
| 01864 | North Reading | — | NORTH READING WATER DEPT. | 16,054 |
| 01901 | Lynn | — | LYNN WATER AND SEWER COMM | 101,253 |
Lead & Copper
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
- High risk (Zone 1): 0 ZIP codes (0%)
- Moderate risk (Zone 2): 0 ZIP codes
- Low risk (Zone 3): 0 ZIP codes
All 45 ZIP Codes in Massachusetts
- 01002 (Amherst) — 3 violations ⚠
- 01810 (Andover) — 9 violations ⚠
- 02474 (Arlington)
- 01821 (Billerica) — 7 violations ⚠
- 02108 (Boston) — 3 violations
- 02184 (Braintree) — 6 violations
- 02324 (Bridgewater) — 23 violations ⚠
- 02301 (Brockton) — 2 violations
- 02445 (Brookline)
- 01803 (Burlington) — 12 violations
- 02138 (Cambridge)
- 01013 (Chicopee)
- 02026 (Dedham) — 1 violation ⚠
- 02331 (Duxbury) — 5 violations
- 02720 (Fall River)
- 02540 (Falmouth) — 3 violations ⚠
- 01701 (Framingham)
- 01930 (Gloucester)
- 01450 (Groton)
- 02339 (Hanover)
- 01830 (Haverhill) — 38 violations
- 02043 (Hingham) — 3 violations
- 02348 (Lakeville) — 14 violations
- 01840 (Lawrence)
- 02420 (Lexington) — 1 violation
- 01850 (Lowell) — 1 violation
- 01901 (Lynn)
- 02048 (Mansfield) — 4 violations
- 02153 (Medford) — 4 violations ⚠
- 02554 (Nantucket) — 195 violations
- 02740 (New Bedford)
- 01864 (North Reading)
- 01060 (Northampton)
- 01960 (Peabody)
- 01201 (Pittsfield)
- 02360 (Plymouth) — 7 violations
- 02169 (Quincy)
- 01970 (Salem)
- 02143 (Somerville)
- 01101 (Springfield) — 5 violations ⚠
- 02451 (Waltham) — 10 violations
- 02471 (Watertown) — 1 violation
- 01580 (Westborough)
- 01801 (Woburn) — 2 violations
- 01601 (Worcester)
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Weather alerts: National Weather Service (NWS)
- Regulations: State plumbing boards, ICC, IAPMO
- Rebates: Rewiring America
Updated daily.