2026 Rankings

Least Reliable Water Systems in Massachusetts — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

695 ZIP codes ranked by Reliability Score #1: ZIP 01921 (Boxford, MA) - 13/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 695 ZIP codes with data in Massachusetts, these are the lowest-ranked areas for reliability score. See also: National Least Reliable Water Systems in America | All Massachusetts Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 695
Lowest value 13/100
Median value 76/100
State Massachusetts

100 Lowest-Ranked ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Reliability Score Safety Score
1 01921 Boxford MA 13/100 49/100
2 02093 Wrentham MA 15/100 58/100
3 02725 Somerset MA 15/100 42/100
4 02726 Somerset MA 15/100 37/100
5 02766 Norton MA 15/100 53/100
6 02714 Dartmouth MA 18/100 62/100
7 02330 Carver MA 24/100 78/100
8 01611 Cherry Valley MA 25/100 55/100
9 02347 Lakeville MA 25/100 67/100
10 02348 Lakeville MA 25/100 72/100
11 02066 Scituate MA 26/100 51/100
12 01005 Barre MA 30/100 56/100
13 01505 Boylston MA 30/100 59/100
14 01524 Leicester MA 30/100 54/100
15 01527 Millbury MA 30/100 53/100
16 02030 Dover MA 30/100 68/100
17 01106 Longmeadow MA 34/100 78/100
18 01116 Longmeadow MA 34/100 77/100
19 02324 Bridgewater MA 34/100 70/100
20 02325 Bridgewater MA 34/100 73/100
21 02338 Halifax MA 35/100 72/100
22 02667 Wellfleet MA 35/100 69/100
23 01719 Boxborough MA 37/100 65/100
24 01069 Palmer MA 39/100 75/100
25 01540 Oxford MA 39/100 68/100
26 01821 Billerica MA 39/100 43/100
27 01822 Billerica MA 39/100 51/100
28 02540 Falmouth MA 39/100 63/100
29 02541 Falmouth MA 39/100 78/100
30 02762 Plainville MA 39/100 75/100
31 01940 Lynnfield MA 40/100 59/100
32 01949 Middleton MA 40/100 59/100
33 02535 Chilmark MA 40/100 75/100
34 02663 South Wellfleet MA 40/100 68/100
35 02703 Attleboro MA 40/100 59/100
36 02790 Westport MA 40/100 69/100
37 01011 Chester MA 42/100 74/100
38 01810 Andover MA 42/100 47/100
39 01812 Andover MA 42/100 56/100
40 01899 Andover MA 42/100 56/100
41 05501 Andover MA 42/100 56/100
42 05544 Andover MA 42/100 56/100
43 01876 Tewksbury MA 44/100 58/100
44 01770 Sherborn MA 45/100 67/100
45 01833 Georgetown MA 45/100 59/100
46 01952 Salisbury MA 45/100 51/100
47 02339 Hanover MA 45/100 74/100
48 02340 Hanover MA 45/100 79/100
49 02367 Plympton MA 45/100 81/100
50 02554 Nantucket MA 45/100 59/100
51 02584 Nantucket MA 45/100 74/100
52 02769 Rehoboth MA 45/100 77/100
53 01742 Concord MA 47/100 56/100
54 01757 Milford MA 47/100 57/100
55 01008 Blandford MA 48/100 76/100
56 01543 Rutland MA 48/100 61/100
57 02343 Holbrook MA 48/100 68/100
58 02715 Dighton MA 49/100 65/100
59 02764 North Dighton MA 49/100 70/100
60 01519 Grafton MA 50/100 53/100
61 01749 Hudson MA 50/100 56/100
62 01778 Wayland MA 50/100 63/100
63 01824 Chelmsford MA 50/100 63/100
64 01863 North Chelmsford MA 50/100 58/100
65 01923 Danvers MA 50/100 63/100
66 01938 Ipswich MA 50/100 51/100
67 01950 Newburyport MA 50/100 45/100
68 02072 Stoughton MA 50/100 76/100
69 02152 Winthrop MA 50/100 67/100
70 02333 East Bridgewater MA 50/100 76/100
71 02360 Plymouth MA 50/100 62/100
72 02361 Plymouth MA 50/100 72/100
73 02362 Plymouth MA 50/100 77/100
74 02379 West Bridgewater MA 50/100 81/100
75 02420 Lexington MA 50/100 63/100
76 02421 Lexington MA 50/100 63/100
77 02478 Belmont MA 50/100 63/100
78 02642 Eastham MA 50/100 71/100
79 02653 Orleans MA 50/100 76/100
80 02019 Bellingham MA 51/100 74/100
81 02025 Cohasset MA 53/100 69/100
82 02368 Randolph MA 53/100 70/100
83 02652 North Truro MA 53/100 76/100
84 02666 Truro MA 53/100 76/100
85 01339 Charlemont MA 55/100 81/100
86 01368 Royalston MA 55/100 62/100
87 01560 South Grafton MA 55/100 64/100
88 01568 Upton MA 55/100 50/100
89 01746 Holliston MA 55/100 59/100
90 01826 Dracut MA 55/100 61/100
91 02176 Melrose MA 55/100 43/100
92 02482 Wellesley MA 55/100 74/100
93 02631 Brewster MA 55/100 74/100
94 01564 Sterling MA 57/100 62/100
95 01730 Bedford MA 57/100 59/100
96 01050 Huntington MA 58/100 81/100
97 01230 Great Barrington MA 58/100 74/100
98 01583 West Boylston MA 58/100 68/100
99 01721 Ashland MA 58/100 63/100
100 01773 Lincoln MA 58/100 63/100

Methodology

Water system reliability scores (0-100) combine violation frequency, violation recency, resolution rate, and system size. Systems with repeated health-based violations and unresolved issues score lowest. The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance, distinct from the broader Home Safety Score.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a low water reliability score mean?

A low reliability score (below 50) indicates a water system with frequent violations, poor resolution rates, or recurring compliance issues. These systems may have aging infrastructure, inadequate treatment, or management challenges.

How is reliability different from safety score?

The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance (violations, resolution, compliance). The Home Safety Score is broader, also including lead risk, radon, and flood data. A ZIP code can have a reliable water system but still have high radon or flood risk.

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How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

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Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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