CITY REPORT MA

Devens, MA: 1 Violation — 66/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Water monitoring across Devens paints a mid-range picture within MA — solid compliance in some service zones, documented concerns in others. Most violations on record are concentrated in specific areas, and the overall grade has held in the middle tier without major shifts in recent monitoring cycles.

How Devens Compares

Devens66/100
Massachusetts avg66/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
C · 66
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$472K
Median Home Value
$1,700
Est. Remediation (0.4% of home value)

What You Should Know About Devens Water

  • Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 12.17 — above typical levels.

Who Supplies Your Water in Devens

Throughout Devens, MA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 3 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.

Ayer Dpw Water Division
Serves ~8,479 people · 1 violation
66
/100
Devens Massdevelopment
Serves ~6,500 people · 1 violation
66
/100
Shirley Water District
Serves ~4,121 people · 1 violation
66
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Devens, Massachusetts (population ~1,889), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 19,100 people region-wide.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Devens: C (66/100)

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

Devens water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
01434 C 1 0 Devens Massdevelopment

All ZIP Codes in Devens

  • 01434 [C] — 1 violation

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Health Outcomes in Devens

12.1%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
10.4%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
17.2%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 12.1% ↑
Diabetes 10.4% ↓
Mental Health 17.2% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Top Contaminants in Devens Water

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 2 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L
Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Housing & Infrastructure in Devens

1958
Median Build Year
57%
Built Before 1986
52%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 57% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

The character of Devens's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1958 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.

1958
Median Year Built
57%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
52%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (52%) 1970–1986 (5%) Post-1986 (43%)

Over half of homes in Devens were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Devens Homeowners

In Devens, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.

Median Home Value
$472,100
Est. Remediation
$1,700
Remediation as % of home value 0.4%

Remediation costs in Devens are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$2,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 16% below the Massachusetts average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Devens

57%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.002
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

57% — that captures the slice of Devens housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

What You Can Do in Devens

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Devens's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 57% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Devens, MA?
Devens has an average water safety score of 66/100 (Grade C). 1 EPA violation has been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Devens have?
Devens water systems have a total of 1 EPA violation. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Devens water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Devens is 0.002 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Devens compare to Massachusetts average?
Devens has an average water safety score of 66/100, which is above the Massachusetts state average of 66/100.
How many water systems serve Devens?
Devens is served by 3 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 1,889 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Devens?
Estimated remediation costs in Devens average $1,700 per household, ranging from $1,100 to $2,300. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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