Health Violations Found MA 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Chester Water Department

EPA ID: MA1059000 · 750 people served · 1 ZIP code

Federal data shows 2 unresolved violations at Chester Water Department — roughly 750 residents in the service area.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 74
Avg Safety Score
750
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0047 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged
$281K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Chester Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$87,012
Median Household Income
1,205
Service Area Population
43%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Chester Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $87,012 and an estimated 1,205 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 43% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Chester Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Hampden County, Massachusetts rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

73 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Chester Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 0800 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

0 violations
C 10 violations
C 7 violations
B 1 violation
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,200
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,900

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,900 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Chester Water Department (EPA ID: MA1059000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 750 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 01011 in Chester.

Average Home Safety Score: B (74/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2024 Contaminant 0800 Health-based Unresolved
October 10, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Contaminant 0800 Other Violation 1 Yes

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
01011 0.0047 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

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

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Chester Water Department (MA1059000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chester Water Department water safe to drink?

Chester Water Department has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Chester Water Department serve?

Chester Water Department serves approximately 750 people across 1 ZIP code in Massachusetts.

Where does Chester Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Utility-reported lead service line presence and tap-sample lead level under federal LCRI requirements:

None reported
Lead Service Lines Reported
0.0047 mg/L
Tap Sample Lead Level

Below federal action level (0.015 mg/L)

MassDEP reports utility-level presence flag and tap-sampling without per-line breakdown. Customers should inquire with the utility about service line material at a specific address.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Did not report any required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2018-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 750
Reported to Massachusetts

Source: MassDEP LCRR Service Line Inventory · Submitted 2024

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Chester Water Department safe to drink?
Chester Water Department earns a B safety grade with 3 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Chester Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 1 DBP Rule, Contaminant 0800. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Chester Water Department serve?
Chester Water Department serves approximately 750 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Chester Water Department's water source?
Chester Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Chester Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0047 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Chester Water Department's service area?
The Chester Water Department service area has a median household income of $87,012. EPA EJScreen data classifies 43% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Chester Water Department get its water?
Chester Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Chester Water Department (EPA ID: MA1059000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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