Water System Report MA

Peabody Water Department

EPA ID: MA3229000 · 54,481 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Unlike many utilities its size, Peabody Water Department carries a violation-free five-year record — no EPA notices, no MCL exceedances, serving 54,481 people.

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

C · 61
Avg Safety Score
54,481
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.00418 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$729K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$133,109
Median Household Income
67,144
Service Area Population
27%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Peabody Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $133,109 and an estimated 67,144 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% 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

Peabody 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.

Moderate 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

63 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
3 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 95% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 14 detections recorded. 3 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

B 0 violations
Methuen Water Department
53,059 people
C 1 violation
0 violations
C 1 violation

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 $1,000
PFAS Treatment $600
Total Estimated Cost $2,800

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

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

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,800 (one-time) vs. $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

Peabody Water Department (EPA ID: MA3229000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 54,481 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

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

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
01960 0.00418 mg/L No N/A
01961 0.00418 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 1 additional ZIP 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 Peabody Water Department (MA3229000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peabody Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Peabody Water Department serve?

Peabody Water Department serves approximately 54,481 people across 3 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Peabody 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
348
Detections
29
Latest sample
10/6/2025
Highest analyte
PFOA: 7 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOA 7 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFBA 6.4 ppt
PFPeA 4.9 ppt
PFHxA 4.8 ppt
PFBS 3.2 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
0.00229 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: 54,481
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 Peabody Water Department safe to drink?
Peabody Water Department has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Peabody Water Department meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Peabody Water Department serve?
Peabody Water Department serves approximately 54,481 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Peabody Water Department's water source?
Peabody Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Peabody Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00418 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Peabody Water Department's service area?
The Peabody Water Department service area has a median household income of $133,109. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Peabody Water Department get its water?
Peabody 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 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

Peabody Water Department (EPA ID: MA3229000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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