Worcester, MA: 16 Violations — 66/100 (2026)
16 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in MA, Worcester lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Worcester Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Worcester, MA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Worcester score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Worcester Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,488 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.17 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Worcester
Federal drinking water records identify 9 systems in Worcester, MA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 16 ZIP codes in Worcester, Massachusetts, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 205,777 people.
16 of 16 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Worcester: 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
Worcester water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
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)
- Zone 1 (High): 16 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 | 17 | 16 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01601 | B | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01602 | C | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01603 | C | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01604 | C | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01605 | C | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01606 | C | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01607 | B | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01608 | C | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01609 | B | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
| 01610 | C | 1 | 0 | Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division |
All ZIP Codes in Worcester
- 01601 [B] — 1 violation
- 01602 [C] — 1 violation
- 01603 [C] — 1 violation
- 01604 [C] — 1 violation
- 01605 [C] — 1 violation
- 01606 [C] — 1 violation
- 01607 [B] — 1 violation
- 01608 [C] — 1 violation
- 01609 [B] — 1 violation
- 01610 [C] — 1 violation
- 01613 [B] — 1 violation
- 01614 [C] — 1 violation
- 01615 [C] — 1 violation
- 01653 [C] — 1 violation
- 01654 [C] — 1 violation
- 01655 [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.
Health Outcomes in Worcester
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
Top Contaminants in Worcester Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Worcester Homeowners
Placing remediation in the context of Worcester's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Worcester are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,656–$3,394 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 39% below the Massachusetts average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Worcester
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 Worcester 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Worcester
Flood exposure in Worcester is meaningful by NFIP measures — 254 claims on record and 63% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Worcester has a moderate flood history with 254 FEMA claims averaging $63,317 per payout. 63% 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>$2,488</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 Worcester
- 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 Worcester's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Worcester, MA