Monitoring Violations MA

Yarmouth Water Department

EPA ID: MA4351000 · 38,900 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Tallying the federal enforcement file for Yarmouth Water Department yields 2 open violations that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 38,900 residents and works through the required corrective action process.

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

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
38,900
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00185 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged
$479K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$78,796
Median Household Income
25,608
Service Area Population
5%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Yarmouth Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $78,796 and an estimated 25,608 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?

Groundwater

Yarmouth 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
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

44 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
26 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 63% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Yarmouth Water Department compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Contaminant 3002 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.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 18 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.

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 →

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

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

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $533
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $2,133

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 $2,133 (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

Yarmouth Water Department (EPA ID: MA4351000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 38,900 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

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.

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Contaminant 3002 Other Violation 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
02664 0.00185 mg/L No N/A
02673 0.0015 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: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by MA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Yarmouth Water Department (MA4351000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yarmouth Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Yarmouth Water Department serve?

Yarmouth Water Department serves approximately 38,900 people across 3 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Yarmouth Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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
508-771-7921
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
99 Buck Island Road • West Yarmouth, MA 02673

Contact information from Yarmouth 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
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.
Treatment chemicals reported
potassium hydroxide

Source: Yarmouth 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 Yarmouth Water Department Consumer Confidence Report:
MassDEP has prepared a SWAP Report for the water supply sources serving our community. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies. There are a number of land uses and activities that are potential sources of contamination. The SWAP Report notes the following key issues for our sources; inappropriate activities in Zone I’s, residential land uses, hazardous materials, transportation corridors, oil or hazardous material contamination sites, and comprehensive wellhead protection planning. Yarmouth was assigned susceptibility ranking of high.

Treatment regime

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

Treatment classification
Minimal — disinfection only
Disinfection (typically chlorine) without additional filtration or coagulation stages. Common for groundwater systems where source water meets federal standards after disinfection alone.

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.

Other reported chemicals
Reported by the utility but not in our annotation dictionary.
potassium hydroxide

Watershed exposure sources reported

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

Inappropriate activities in Zone I’sResidential land useHazardous materialsTransportation corridorsOil or hazardous material contamination sitesComprehensive wellhead protection planning

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Yarmouth 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
870
Detections
17
Latest sample
7/29/2025
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 59.4 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFPeA 59.4 ppt
PFHxA 40.6 ppt
PFBA 12.7 ppt
PFHpA 7.7 ppt
PFHxS 3.1 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL

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
6.5 ppt 20 ppt Below EPA limit
PFBS
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Component of EPA Hazard Index — combined exposure assessed against unitless threshold of 1.0.
2.5 ppt No federal limit set
PFHxA
Not yet EPA-regulated
38 ppt No federal limit set
PFHPA
Not yet EPA-regulated
6.5 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 Yarmouth 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
0.0028 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: 38,900
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 →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from Yarmouth Water Department Consumer Confidence Report:
  • On July 5, 2023, Well No. 7 was positive for coliform and e. coli. The well was immediately taken offline and a Non-Boil Public Notice was issued.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Yarmouth Water Department safe to drink?
Yarmouth Water Department has a C safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Yarmouth Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Contaminant 3002, 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 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 Yarmouth Water Department serve?
Yarmouth Water Department serves approximately 38,900 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Yarmouth Water Department's water source?
Yarmouth Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Yarmouth Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00185 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Yarmouth Water Department's service area?
The Yarmouth Water Department service area has a median household income of $78,796. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Yarmouth Water Department get its water?
Yarmouth 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

Yarmouth Water Department (EPA ID: MA4351000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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