Water System Report MA

Arlington Water Department (mwra)

EPA ID: MA3010000 · 46,308 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Compared to the national average for mid-size utilities, Arlington Water Department (mwra) sits well above the baseline — five years of EPA monitoring show no violations, no MCL exceedances, and no enforcement actions for the full service territory of 46,308 people.

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

D · 49
Avg Safety Score
46,308
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.00279 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Arlington Water Department (mwra) Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$142,175
Median Household Income
46,015
Service Area Population
12%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
91%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Arlington Water Department (mwra) serves a community with a median household income of $142,175 and an estimated 46,015 residents across its service area. Approximately 91% 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

Arlington Water Department (mwra)'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.

Moderate 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.

Infrastructure Risk

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

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

C 23 violations
C 4 violations
0 violations
Weir River Water System
45,339 people
C 3 violations
Beverly Water Department
47,461 people
C 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $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.

System Overview

ARLINGTON WATER DEPT. (MWRA) (EPA ID: MA3010000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 46,308 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (49/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
02474 0.00279 mg/L No N/A
02476 0.00279 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: 2 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Arlington Water Department (mwra) (MA3010000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington Water Department (mwra) water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Arlington Water Department (mwra) has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Arlington Water Department (mwra) serve?

Arlington Water Department (mwra) serves approximately 46,308 people across 4 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Arlington Water Department (mwra) 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
116

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
0.00459 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 2025-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 46,308
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 Arlington Water Department (mwra) safe to drink?
Arlington Water Department (mwra) has a D safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Arlington Water Department (mwra) meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Arlington Water Department (mwra) serve?
Arlington Water Department (mwra) serves approximately 46,308 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Arlington Water Department (mwra)'s water source?
Arlington Water Department (mwra) draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Arlington Water Department (mwra)'s water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00279 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Arlington Water Department (mwra)'s service area?
The Arlington Water Department (mwra) service area has a median household income of $142,175. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Arlington Water Department (mwra) get its water?
Arlington Water Department (mwra)'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

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

Arlington Water Department (mwra) (EPA ID: MA3010000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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