ZipCheckup grade for 01501: D.

Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.

Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. Check your ZIP → NSF certified filters

Health Violations Found
D 48

Auburn, MA (01501): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 48/100

EPA data combined for 2 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Auburn Water District)

Health Violations Found PFAS Detected High County Radon Potential

Health-based violation records by water system:

EPA records for the water systems mapped to 01501 in Auburn, MA contain 5 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 1 are marked health-based.

Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS

Based on EPA Drinking Water FEMA Flood Data U.S. Census CDC Energy Information Admin. USGS Water Data & 9 more federal sources
Latest air quality, EPA records and weather alerts Current data temporarily unavailable
Current EPA violation data unavailable
Water records and current conditions
Current EPA violation data unavailable
Safety Score
D 48/100
Water Quality PFAS above MCL 1 health-based violation
Lead Risk Below action level 0.0019 mg/L, 90th percentile, sample period ending 2025-12-31
NFIP Claim History Claim records 19 claims
Data confidence: High (direct measurement) Medium (sampled / sub-geography) Low (modeled / inferred) Methodology →

At a Glance

  • Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 1 health-based violation and 4 non-health-based (since 2021).
  • Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0019 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
  • PFAS At least one PFAS result is above an EPA MCL value (UCMR5 sampling; MCL compliance required from 2029).
  • Radon EPA Zone 1 - highest county-level potential. This is not a home measurement; test before any threshold comparison.
  • Flood 19 cumulative NFIP claim records. Claim evidence is historical, not current map coverage.
Contaminant Summary
Health Violations
5 violations 1 health-based PFAS detected
Report data assembled: Jul 27, 2026 EPA water-system identity: source date or period is not present in ZipCheckup's accepted source record EPA violation history: more than two update cycles old Lead, copper and UCMR measurements: source date or period is not present in ZipCheckup's accepted source record Consumer Confidence Report: source date or period is not present in ZipCheckup's accepted source record
D
ZIP-level Home Safety model score: 48 / 100
Bottom 6% of U.S. ZIP codes
2
Water Systems
12,255
People Served
1
Health Violations (since 2021)Median is 0
Surface water
Water Source
0.0019 mg/L
Reported Lead Result
Zone 1
County Radon Potential · High
$363K
Median Home Value25% below state median ($481K)

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Score Breakdown

Overall Home Safety Score: 48/100

This is the published model score. Component and domain values are shown independently; they are not added together on this page.

Canonical components

EPA water compliance
88/100
Observed
PFAS MCL screen
0/100
Observed
EPA radon zone
0/100
Observed
Annual EPA AirData AQI
100/100
Observed

Required domains

Drinking water
44/100
Indoor environment
0/100
Outdoor environment
100/100

Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.

Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.

Safety & Health (8) CRITICAL

Your Water System

ZIP code 01501 in Auburn, Massachusetts is mapped to the water system Auburn Water District (EPA ID: MA2017000). This system provides water to approximately 12,255 people from surface water sources.

There are 2 community water systems serving this area.

Lead & Copper in Your Water

The EPA requires water systems to monitor lead and copper levels under the Lead and Copper Rule.

Metal Measured Level EPA Action Level Status Sample Date or Period
Copper Action-level exceedance on record 1.3 mg/L Exceeds action level Not present in ZipCheckup accepted source data
How to read the copper row. EPA's reporting schema defines the copper CU90 code as an action-level exceedance (a system's 90th-percentile copper above the 1.3 mg/L action level), so this row reflects an exceedance on record, not a routine measurement. No copper concentration is shown because no verified unit is available for this value. A system with no copper record has not been shown to be clean: the absence of a recorded exceedance is not a measurement.

Water Systems Serving This Area

System Name EPA ID Population Source
Auburn Water District MA2017000 12,255 Surface water
Elm Hill Water District MA2017001 2,278 Surface water

Other Water Quality Reports in Massachusetts

Nearby Water Quality Reports

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Auburn Water District (MA2017000) on EPA.gov.

5 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.

📊 EPA Safe Drinking Water · View source →

PFAS Contamination Detected

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 01501. One or more compound results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029.

Detected compounds: PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, PFHxA.

Highest measured level: 0.0057 µg/L

Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.

📊 EPA UCMR5 · View source →
Environmental Hazards (11) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (8) HIGH

Possible home maintenance concerns - talk to a local expert.

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Cost & Community (9) HIGH

CPSC product recall notices

These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.

View all recalls →

📊 CPSC · View source →

Protect Your Home in Auburn

Based on local data for ZIP 01501, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.

Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.

Home & Flood Insurance

The ZIP code for this report in Auburn has 19 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.

Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote

Check Your Flood Zone (Free)

FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone

Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)

Gutter Installation & Repair

The median home in 01501 was built around 1950. Aging gutters can cause foundation damage, basement flooding, and mold - a professional assessment can prevent costly repairs.

Typical cost: Gutter installation: typically $1,000–$2,500 for a standard home

Estimate Your Home Maintenance Costs

Window Replacement

The median build year of homes in Auburn is 1950; check the age and condition of your own windows. ENERGY STAR windows can save $101–$583/year on energy bills.

Typical cost: Window replacement: typically $300–$800 per window installed

Estimate Your Home Maintenance Costs

Roofing Inspection & Repair

Homes built around 1950 may be on their second or third roof. A professional inspection can catch damage before leaks start.

Typical cost: Roof inspection: typically $75–$300; repairs $300–$1,500

Estimate Your Home Insurance Needs

Service recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water in 01501 safe to drink?

EPA SDWIS records 5 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 01501 (primary system: Auburn Water District), including 1 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.

Where does 01501's water come from?

The recorded water source for Auburn Water District, a system mapped to ZIP code 01501, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 12,255 people.

How does Auburn water compare to the national average?

Auburn's Home Safety Score ranks lower than 94% of U.S. ZIP codes, and lower than 96% of ZIP codes within Massachusetts.

How can I get my water tested in Auburn?

If Auburn Water District supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.

Is lead a concern in 01501 tap water?

The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 01501 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0019 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2025-12-31). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.

What is the radon risk for 01501?

01501 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 1 (high county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Worcester County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.

Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 01501's water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 01501. One or more PFAS results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.

What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 01501?

FEMA records contain 19 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 01501; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is AE, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. Claim records do not establish current property risk. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Auburn, MA (01501): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 48/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/01501/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-report-01501,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Auburn, MA (01501): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 48/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/01501/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

Nearby ZIP Code Reports

Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 01501

ZIP Code City, State Distance Grade Violations
01603 Worcester, MA 2.7 mi C 3
01611 Cherry Valley, MA 2.9 mi C 1
01607 Worcester, MA 2.9 mi D 2
01586 West Millbury, MA 3.0 mi N/A 0
01610 Worcester, MA 3.3 mi N/A 0
01542 Rochdale, MA 3.5 mi C 1
01537 North Oxford, MA 3.7 mi C 0
01527 Millbury, MA 3.9 mi D 0
01654 Worcester, MA 4.3 mi N/A 0
01601 Worcester, MA 4.4 mi N/A 0

Contaminants Detected in 01501

Learn more about the contaminants found in your water supply:

Overall safety breakdown

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Coverage: 16/17 risk factors Data sources →
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