Historical Compliance Records MA

Townsend Water Department

EPA ID: MA2299000 · 6,832 people served · 2 ZIP codes

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Townsend Water Department (MA2299000): 8 EPA violations in the last five years. Since the flagged events, Townsend Water Department resolved all 8 violations - compliant today, 6,832 residents served.

Data: EPA SDWIS

D · 48
Avg Safety Score
6,832
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
8
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0016 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
5
Contaminants Flagged
$406K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary - Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$121,659
Median Household Income
9,052
Service Area Population
12%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
70%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Townsend Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $121,659 and an estimated 9,052 residents across its service area. Approximately 70% 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

Townsend Water Department'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

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

52 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
18 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 74% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Townsend Water Department 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

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.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Radium-226 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 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.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 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. 6 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

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

D 2 violations
D 2 violations
D 1 violation
C 0 violations
B 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $600
Total Estimated Cost $3,000

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.)

PFAS Exposure - Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,000 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

Townsend Water Department (EPA ID: MA2299000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 6,832 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: D (48/100)

This is the average Home Safety Score for 2 of 2 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.

Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.

Violation History

No current noncompliance in the accepted 2026Q2 snapshot. The 8 records in the 2021-2026 window are classified as resolved or archived, not current.

Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 5 resolved, 3 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
April 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Non-health-based Resolved
September 29, 2022 Stage 1 DBP Rule Non-health-based Resolved
July 1, 2022 Lead Non-health-based Archived
July 1, 2022 Radium-226 Non-health-based Archived
July 1, 2022 Radium-228 Non-health-based Archived
July 1, 2022 Stage 1 DBP Rule Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2022 Stage 1 DBP Rule Non-health-based Resolved
July 1, 2021 Surface Water Treatment Rule Non-health-based 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 4 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Radium-226 Radionuclides 1 No
Radium-228 Radionuclides 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:

Lead Level Exceeds Action Level Sample Date
0.0016 mg/L No N/A

No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.

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 Townsend Water Department (MA2299000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Townsend Water Department water safe to drink?

The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Townsend Water Department; its 8 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.

How many people does Townsend Water Department serve?

Townsend Water Department serves approximately 6,832 people across 2 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Townsend Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
261
Detections
6
Latest sample
10/3/2024
Highest analyte
PFOA: 6.5 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOA 6.5 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxA 4.1 ppt
PFPeA 3.5 ppt

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Townsend Water Department safe to drink?
Townsend Water Department has a D safety grade based on 8 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits - independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Townsend Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Radium-226, Radium-228. 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 Townsend Water Department serve?
Townsend Water Department serves approximately 6,832 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Townsend Water Department's water source?
Townsend Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Townsend Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0016 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Townsend Water Department's service area?
The Townsend Water Department service area has a median household income of $121,659. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Townsend Water Department get its water?
Townsend Water Department'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 the exported violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is classified as elevated.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Townsend Water Department (MA): 8 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ma2299000/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-ma2299000,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Townsend Water Department (MA): 8 EPA Violations}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ma2299000/}
}

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

Townsend Water Department (EPA ID: MA2299000) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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