Health Violations Found MA 4 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Rutland Water Department

EPA ID: MA2257000 · 5,605 people served · 1 ZIP code

1 open EPA finding remain on record at Rutland Water Department — the utility supplies approximately 5,605 people.

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

C · 61
Avg Safety Score
5,605
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
5
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.005 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$439K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 76% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 3 (2023) to 1 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$155,504
Median Household Income
9,202
Service Area Population
22%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
50%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Rutland Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $155,504 and an estimated 9,202 residents across its service area. Approximately 50% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Rutland 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
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Worcester 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

43 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
27 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 61% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Rutland Water Department compares to EPA limits

HAA6Br 4 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L

What This Means For You

HAA6Br at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L.

Radium-228 at 1 pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L). Bone cancer and leukemia (known carcinogen). Consider ion exchange (water softener) filtration.

Radium-228 was detected in this water system. ion exchange (water softener) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

C 1 violation
C 2 violations
C 0 violations
C 0 violations
Marion Water Division
5,761 people
C 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

Rutland Water Department (EPA ID: MA2257000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 5,605 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 01543 in Rutland.

Average Home Safety Score: C (61/100)

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

Violation History

4 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2024 HAA6Br Health-based Resolved
October 1, 2023 HAA6Br Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2023 HAA6Br Health-based Resolved
April 1, 2023 HAA6Br Health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
HAA6Br Disinfection Byproducts 4 Yes
Radium-228 Radionuclides 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
01543 0.005 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

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by MA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Rutland Water Department (MA2257000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rutland Water Department water safe to drink?

Rutland Water Department has recorded 4 health-based violations 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 Rutland Water Department serve?

Rutland Water Department serves approximately 5,605 people across 1 ZIP code in Massachusetts.

Where does Rutland Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
232

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

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
0.0031 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: 5,605
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 Rutland Water Department safe to drink?
Rutland Water Department has a C safety grade based on 5 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Rutland Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include HAA6Br, Radium-228. 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 Rutland Water Department serve?
Rutland Water Department serves approximately 5,605 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Rutland Water Department's water source?
Rutland Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Rutland Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.005 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Rutland Water Department's service area?
The Rutland Water Department service area has a median household income of $155,504. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Rutland Water Department get its water?
Rutland 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

Rutland Water Department (EPA ID: MA2257000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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