Boston, MA: 114 Violations — 89/100 (2026)
38 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Boston, safety indicators for tap water remain above the MA median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Boston Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Boston, MA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Boston's 38 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Boston Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 114 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0059 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,350 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.05.
Boston's Water Providers
Federal records list 5 water systems tied to Boston, MA. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 38 ZIP codes in Boston, Massachusetts (population ~232,258), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 3,399,128 people region-wide.
38 of 38 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Boston: A (89/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Boston water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0059 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 38 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 117 | 38 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02108 | B | 3 | 0 | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) |
| 02109 | B | 3 | 0 | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) |
| 02110 | B | 3 | 0 | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) |
| 02111 | A | 3 | 0 | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) |
| 02112 | A | 3 | 0 | Mwra |
| 02113 | A | 3 | 0 | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) |
| 02114 | B | 3 | 0 | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) |
| 02115 | B | 3 | 0 | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) |
| 02116 | B | 3 | 0 | Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra) |
| 02117 | A | 3 | 0 | Mwra |
All ZIP Codes in Boston
- 02108 [B] — 3 violations
- 02109 [B] — 3 violations
- 02110 [B] — 3 violations
- 02111 [A] — 3 violations
- 02112 [A] — 3 violations
- 02113 [A] — 3 violations
- 02114 [B] — 3 violations
- 02115 [B] — 3 violations
- 02116 [B] — 3 violations
- 02117 [A] — 3 violations
- 02118 [B] — 3 violations
- 02123 [A] — 3 violations
- 02127 [B] — 3 violations
- 02128 [B] — 3 violations
- 02133 [A] — 3 violations
- 02163 [A] — 3 violations
- 02196 [A] — 3 violations
- 02199 [A] — 3 violations
- 02201 [A] — 3 violations
- 02203 [A] — 3 violations
- 02204 [A] — 3 violations
- 02205 [A] — 3 violations
- 02206 [A] — 3 violations
- 02210 [B] — 3 violations
- 02211 [A] — 3 violations
- 02212 [A] — 3 violations
- 02215 [B] — 3 violations
- 02216 [A] — 3 violations
- 02217 [A] — 3 violations
- 02222 [A] — 3 violations
- 02241 [A] — 3 violations
- 02266 [A] — 3 violations
- 02283 [A] — 3 violations
- 02284 [A] — 3 violations
- 02293 [A] — 3 violations
- 02295 [A] — 3 violations
- 02297 [A] — 3 violations
- 02298 [A] — 3 violations
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Boston Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Boston's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Boston
Given current Boston valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Boston are relatively low compared to home values. The $900–$1,975 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 79% above the Massachusetts average.
Boston: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Boston appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Boston: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Boston shows 291 claims and 37% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Boston has a moderate flood history with 291 FEMA claims averaging $11,538 per payout. 37% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,350</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Boston, MA