Monitoring Violations MA

Cohasset Water Department

EPA ID: MA4065000 · 7,555 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Within the EPA compliance database, Cohasset Water Department shows 2 violations still pending resolution — a status that applies across the full service territory of approximately 7,555 people and reflects findings that have not yet cleared the federal enforcement process or received formal closure.

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

C · 60
Avg Safety Score
7,555
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$187,060
Median Household Income
8,358
Service Area Population
9%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
53th
Energy Burden Percentile
75%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Cohasset Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $187,060 and an estimated 8,358 residents across its service area. Approximately 75% 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

Cohasset 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
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
63th
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 63th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

76 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

Detected Contaminants

How Cohasset Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Contaminant 2051 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Fecal Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

B 6 violations
Norfolk Water Division
7,602 people
B 6 violations
D 1 violation
B 0 violations
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,400
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $200
Total Estimated Cost $2,000

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 $2,000 (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

Cohasset Water Department (EPA ID: MA4065000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 7,555 people from surface water sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (60/100)

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.

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Contaminant 2051 Other Violation 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 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
02025 0.002 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 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 Cohasset Water Department (MA4065000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cohasset Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Cohasset Water Department serve?

Cohasset Water Department serves approximately 7,555 people across 3 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Cohasset Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
(781)383-0057
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
339 King Street, Cohasset, MA 02025

Contact information from Cohasset Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
ferric chloridesodium hydroxidesodium permanganatepolyaluminum chloridepolymerchlorinefluoride

Source: Cohasset Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Cohasset Water Department Consumer Confidence Report:
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) prepared source water assessments in 2004. A susceptibility ranking of high was assigned to this system. Potential contamination sources identified include transport corridor risks and other hazards.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Multi-stage
Multiple treatment stages — typically coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Common for surface-water systems requiring removal of particulates, microorganisms, and dissolved organic compounds before disinfection.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine
pH adjustment
Raises or lowers water acidity to protect pipes and improve treatment performance.
sodium hydroxide
Coagulant
Causes suspended particles to clump together so they can be removed by filtration.
ferric chloridepolyaluminum chloridepolymer
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride
Other reported chemicals
Reported by the utility but not in our annotation dictionary.
sodium permanganate

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

Transportation corridor chemical spills

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Cohasset Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

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
87
Detections
6
Latest sample
9/16/2025
Highest analyte
PFBA: 7.3 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 7.3 ppt
PFOA 6.7 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFPeA 4.6 ppt
PFOS 4.5 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxA 4 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 →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFAS6
Not yet EPA-regulated
16.1 ppt No federal limit set

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Cohasset Water Department.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects 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
0.002 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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 7,555
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 Cohasset Water Department safe to drink?
Cohasset 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 Cohasset Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Contaminant 2051, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Fecal Coliform. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 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 Cohasset Water Department serve?
Cohasset Water Department serves approximately 7,555 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Cohasset Water Department's water source?
Cohasset Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Cohasset Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Cohasset Water Department's service area?
The Cohasset Water Department service area has a median household income of $187,060. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Cohasset Water Department get its water?
Cohasset 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

Cohasset Water Department (EPA ID: MA4065000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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