Monitoring Violations MA

Plymouth Water Department

EPA ID: MA4239000 · 46,799 people served · 5 ZIP codes

In the current EPA monitoring period, Plymouth Water Department has 3 violations still listed as unresolved, with the utility supplying water to approximately 46,799 residents.

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

C · 64
Avg Safety Score
46,799
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0025 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$111,975
Median Household Income
62,405
Service Area Population
10%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
62%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Plymouth Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $111,975 and an estimated 62,405 residents across its service area. Approximately 62% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Plymouth Water Department's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Plymouth 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

49 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Unknown
Pipe Material
18 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 73% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Plymouth Water Department compares to EPA limits

Atrazine 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.003 mg/L
Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects

What This Means For You

Atrazine at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.003 mg/L. Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report 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. 3 detections recorded.

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 →

Atrazine 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

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

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,320
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $100
Total Estimated Cost $1,820

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 $1,820 (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

PLYMOUTH WATER DEPARTMENT (EPA ID: MA4239000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 46,799 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (64/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 11, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Atrazine Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 No
Atrazine Organic 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
02360 0.0025 mg/L No N/A
02361 0.0025 mg/L No N/A
02362 0.0025 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 4 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 Plymouth Water Department (MA4239000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plymouth Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Plymouth Water Department serve?

Plymouth Water Department serves approximately 46,799 people across 5 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Plymouth Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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
638
Detections
2
Latest sample
5/23/2024
Highest analyte
PFBS: 4 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBS 4 ppt
PFPeA 3.1 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
0.0025 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 2024-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 46,799
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 Plymouth Water Department safe to drink?
Plymouth Water Department has a C safety grade based on 4 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Plymouth Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Atrazine, Consumer Confidence Report 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 Plymouth Water Department serve?
Plymouth Water Department serves approximately 46,799 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Plymouth Water Department's water source?
Plymouth Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Plymouth Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0025 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Plymouth Water Department's service area?
The Plymouth Water Department service area has a median household income of $111,975. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Plymouth Water Department get its water?
Plymouth Water Department's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. 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

Plymouth Water Department (EPA ID: MA4239000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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