Monitoring Violations MA

Middleton Water Department

EPA ID: MA3184000 · 7,255 people served · 1 ZIP code

Looking at the EPA enforcement file for Middleton Water Department, 3 violations are listed as unresolved — those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 7,255 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.

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

C · 59
Avg Safety Score
7,255
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0047 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$713K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$171,458
Median Household Income
9,727
Service Area Population
27%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
51%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Middleton Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $171,458 and an estimated 9,727 residents across its service area. Approximately 51% 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

Middleton 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
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Essex 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 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

42 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
28 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 60% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Middleton Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 3 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. 7 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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

C 1 violation
B 0 violations
D 9 violations
B 0 violations
C 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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,000 (one-time) vs. $5,330 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

Middleton Water Department (EPA ID: MA3184000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 7,255 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 01949 in Middleton.

Average Home Safety Score: C (59/100)

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

Violation History

3 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
June 1, 2024 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 3 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
01949 0.0047 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 Middleton Water Department (MA3184000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Middleton Water Department water safe to drink?

Middleton Water Department has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Middleton Water Department serve?

Middleton Water Department serves approximately 7,255 people across 1 ZIP code in Massachusetts.

Where does Middleton Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
116
Detections
5
Latest sample
4/16/2024
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 11.4 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFPeA 11.4 ppt
PFHxA 7.1 ppt
PFHpA 6 ppt
PFOA 4.5 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFBS 3 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 →

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
0.003 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: 7,255
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 Middleton Water Department safe to drink?
Middleton Water Department has a C safety grade based on 3 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Middleton Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant 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 Middleton Water Department serve?
Middleton Water Department serves approximately 7,255 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Middleton Water Department's water source?
Middleton Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Middleton 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 Middleton Water Department's service area?
The Middleton Water Department service area has a median household income of $171,458. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Middleton Water Department get its water?
Middleton 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

Middleton Water Department (EPA ID: MA3184000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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