Water Quality in Boston, MA: No Violations in Mapped EPA Records
2 water systems · 17 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report no violations across 17 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Boston. This does not cover unavailable records or guarantee a specific tap is contaminant-free.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Boston
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02108 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02109 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02110 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02111 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02113 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02114 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02115 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02116 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02118 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02127 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02128 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02133 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02163 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02199 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 02205 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Boston, Massachusetts has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 17 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report no violations across 17 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts for Boston. This does not guarantee the absence of contaminants.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Boston is 0.0058 mg/L; the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 17 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 72% of homes built before 1986, Boston has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Boston
Boston is served by 2 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 232,258 people live in the area (38 ZIP codes, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list enforcement actions against water systems serving Boston. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Boston
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken enforcement actions against water systems serving Boston. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2021-10-05 | State Filed Suit |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2021-10-05.
Boston vs. Nearby Massachusetts Cities
How Boston's water quality compares to similar cities in Massachusetts:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 17 | 0 | 2 | 232,258 |
| Worcester | 9 | 7 | 5 | 205,777 |
| Springfield | 10 | 1 | 2 | 144,960 |
| Cambridge | 5 | 0 | 3 | 118,073 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Boston
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Boston's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 02108 | 0 | 0 |
| 02109 | 0 | 0 |
| 02110 | 0 | 0 |
| 02111 | 0 | 0 |
| 02113 | 0 | 0 |
| 02114 | 0 | 0 |
| 02115 | 0 | 0 |
| 02116 | 0 | 0 |
| 02118 | 0 | 0 |
| 02127 | 0 | 0 |
| 02128 | 0 | 0 |
| 02133 | 0 | 0 |
| 02163 | 0 | 0 |
| 02199 | 0 | 0 |
| 02205 | 0 | 0 |
Common Questions About Boston Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Boston, Massachusetts:
Is Boston water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Boston's 2 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Boston tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 17 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Boston? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Boston vs. Massachusetts Average
Understanding how Boston compares to the broader Massachusetts average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Boston.
ZIP Codes in Boston
Boston spans 38 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 17 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.