Water System Report MA

Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative

EPA ID: MA4261024 · 56,250 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Five years of EPA monitoring have produced no violations for Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative — the supplier serving 56,250 residents has kept every contaminant level within federal limits, a result that places it among the top-performing utilities for systems with a service population of comparable size.

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

56,250
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$553K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Demographics

$117,558
Median Household Income
20,419
Service Area Population
5%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
62%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative serves a community with a median household income of $117,558 and an estimated 20,419 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

Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Barnstable County, Massachusetts rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

38 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
32 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 54% 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. 2 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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

B 0 violations
C 1 violation
Peabody Water Department
54,481 people
C 0 violations
Methuen Water Department
53,059 people
C 1 violation
D 2 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 $167
Total Estimated Cost $1,967

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 $1,967 (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

UPPER CAPE REGIONAL WATER COOPERATIVE (EPA ID: MA4261024) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 56,250 people from groundwater sources.

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative (MA4261024) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative serve?

Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative serves approximately 56,250 people across 3 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
145

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
Non-detect
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
Population served: 56,250
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

Should I use a water filter?
Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative serve?
Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative serves approximately 56,250 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative's water source?
Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative's service area?
The Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative service area has a median household income of $117,558. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative get its water?
Upper Cape Regional Water Cooperative'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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