Health Violations Found MA 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Applewood Community Corporation

EPA ID: MA2037013 · 500 people served · 1 ZIP code

Per EPA records, Applewood Community Corporation: 10 unresolved violations, 500 people in service area.

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

C · 65
Avg Safety Score
500
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
23
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0041 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
11
Contaminants Flagged
$672K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Applewood Community Corporation Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$151,000
Median Household Income
5,468
Service Area Population
12%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
54%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Applewood Community Corporation serves a community with a median household income of $151,000 and an estimated 5,468 residents across its service area. Approximately 54% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Applewood Community Corporation's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
80th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

37 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
33 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 53% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Applewood Community Corporation compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 1032 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 8 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.

State limits: PFAS6: 0.02 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

Liberty Manor Inc.
500 people
0 violations
0 violations
0 violations
C 0 violations
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $600
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,100

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 $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,100 (one-time) vs. $15,330 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

Applewood Community Corporation (EPA ID: MA2037013) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 500 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 01719 in Boxborough.

Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)

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. 10 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Contaminant 1039 Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Contaminant 1032 Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
April 1, 2024 Contaminant 4002 Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Contaminant 1032 Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved

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 6 No
Chlorine residual Disinfectant 4 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Contaminant 1032 Other Violation 2 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No
Contaminant 1039 Other Violation 1 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Contaminant 4002 Other Violation 1 No
Radium-228 Radionuclides 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 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
01719 0.0041 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High 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 Applewood Community Corporation (MA2037013) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Applewood Community Corporation water safe to drink?

Applewood Community Corporation 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 Applewood Community Corporation serve?

Applewood Community Corporation serves approximately 500 people across 1 ZIP code in Massachusetts.

Where does Applewood Community Corporation get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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
0.004 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 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 500
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 Applewood Community Corporation safe to drink?
Applewood Community Corporation has a C safety grade based on 23 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Applewood Community Corporation's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Stage 1 DBP Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 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 Applewood Community Corporation serve?
Applewood Community Corporation serves approximately 500 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Applewood Community Corporation's water source?
Applewood Community Corporation draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Applewood Community Corporation's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0041 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Applewood Community Corporation's service area?
The Applewood Community Corporation service area has a median household income of $151,000. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Applewood Community Corporation get its water?
Applewood Community Corporation's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. 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

Applewood Community Corporation (EPA ID: MA2037013) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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