Monitoring Violations MA

Braintree Water and Sewer Department

EPA ID: MA4040000 · 39,143 people served · 2 ZIP codes

With 1 unresolved EPA violation, Braintree Water and Sewer Department is currently out of full compliance — approximately 39,143 people in its service area.

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

B · 76
Avg Safety Score
39,143
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0048 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Braintree Water and Sewer Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$125,305
Median Household Income
38,762
Service Area Population
6%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Braintree Water and Sewer Department serves a community with a median household income of $125,305 and an estimated 38,762 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% 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

Braintree Water and Sewer 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
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Norfolk 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

60 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
10 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 86% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Braintree Water and Sewer Department compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) 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. 5 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 →

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

Harwich Water Department
39,144 people
C 0 violations
C 1 violation
C 2 violations
C 0 violations
A 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $600
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,300

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 $1,300 (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

Braintree Water and Sewer Department (EPA ID: MA4040000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 39,143 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 1 community.

Average Home Safety Score: B (76/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
March 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 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
02184 0.0048 mg/L No N/A
02185 0.0048 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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: 1 ZIP code 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 Braintree Water and Sewer Department (MA4040000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Braintree Water and Sewer Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Braintree Water and Sewer Department serve?

Braintree Water and Sewer Department serves approximately 39,143 people across 2 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Braintree Water and Sewer 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
17
Latest sample
3/19/2024
Highest analyte
PFOS: 8.5 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOS 8.5 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFOA 5.3 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFPeA 5 ppt
PFHxA 4.2 ppt
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
0.0071 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: 39,143
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 →

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Braintree Water and Sewer Department safe to drink?
Braintree Water and Sewer Department earns a B safety grade with 2 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Braintree Water and Sewer Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment Rule. 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 Braintree Water and Sewer Department serve?
Braintree Water and Sewer Department serves approximately 39,143 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Braintree Water and Sewer Department's water source?
Braintree Water and Sewer Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Braintree Water and Sewer Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0048 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Braintree Water and Sewer Department's service area?
The Braintree Water and Sewer Department service area has a median household income of $125,305. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Braintree Water and Sewer Department get its water?
Braintree Water and Sewer 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

Braintree Water and Sewer Department (EPA ID: MA4040000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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