Lowell, MA: 5 Violations — 62/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Across Lowell, EPA compliance data for MA sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Lowell Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: Lowell, MA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Lowell's 5 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Lowell Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0011 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.88.
Lowell's Water Providers
Water delivery in Lowell, MA is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 3 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Lowell, Massachusetts, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 114,799 people.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lowell: C (62/100)
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
Lowell water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0011 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 5 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01850 | C | 1 | 0 | Lowell Regional Water Utility |
| 01851 | C | 1 | 0 | Lowell Regional Water Utility |
| 01852 | C | 1 | 0 | Lowell Regional Water Utility |
| 01853 | C | 1 | 0 | Lowell Regional Water Utility |
| 01854 | C | 1 | 0 | Lowell Regional Water Utility |
All ZIP Codes in Lowell
- 01850 [C] — 1 violation
- 01851 [C] — 1 violation
- 01852 [C] — 1 violation
- 01853 [C] — 1 violation
- 01854 [C] — 1 violation
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.
Lowell 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 Lowell's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Lowell Infrastructure Age
With 83% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Lowell's median build year of 1931 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Lowell 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Lowell
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Lowell is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Lowell are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,020 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 29% below the Massachusetts average.
Lowell: 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.
Older stock in Lowell represents 83% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Lowell: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Lowell shows a moderate flood record — 256 claims and 60% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Lowell has a moderate flood history with 256 FEMA claims averaging $17,218 per payout. 60% 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>$3,000</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.
What You Can Do in Lowell
- 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.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lowell's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 83% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lowell, MA