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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 50 cities in Massachusetts
It depends on your utility. 2 of the 48 Massachusetts water systems we grade from EPA records have a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 91/100 (3 above the national 88). Lowest graded: Medford (F). Highest: Springfield (A).
Massachusetts's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 48 Massachusetts water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 91/100 — 3 points above the U.S. national average of 88/100. 67% of graded Massachusetts cities (32 of 48) score above that national benchmark, and 32 earn a Grade A. 2 cities have at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 2 cities are not graded because we have not yet matched them to an EPA water system.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Massachusetts water systems are pfas ('forever chemicals'), lead (older service lines and plumbing) and sodium and chloride (road-salt runoff). See the full breakdown in our Massachusetts water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Massachusetts
169,170 residents
105,788 residents
72,362 residents
63,191 residents
62,165 residents
61,277 residents
55,560 residents
46,519 residents
46,308 residents
43,927 residents
41,799 residents
40,787 residents
35,985 residents
65,218 residents
27,442 residents
206,518 residents
101,079 residents
88,931 residents
106,000 residents
66,263 residents
49,075 residents
37,838 residents
29,909 residents
89,143 residents
41,094 residents
26,262 residents
25,864 residents
62,186 residents
94,000 residents
90,330 residents
90,330 residents
41,683 residents
53,059 residents
120,418 residents
27,090 residents
101,253 residents
54,481 residents
118,214 residents
41,946 residents
81,045 residents
675,647 residents
31,664 residents
46,461 residents
40,876 residents
39,143 residents
37,006 residents
36,569 residents
61,700 residents
57,213 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
44,641 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
Massachusetts generally enjoys strong water quality, anchored by the highly regarded Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) system that serves Greater Boston from the protected Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs. The state's main challenges are aging urban infrastructure, lead service lines in older cities, and emerging PFAS contamination that has prompted some of the strictest state-level limits in the nation.
Across the 48 Massachusetts cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 91/100. 2 cities score below 70 (D or F) because of health-based violations, lead results, PFAS or historical readings near a limit. The highest-rated city is Springfield with a score of 100/100, while Medford has the most room for improvement at 57/100.
2 of the 48 Massachusetts cities we grade score below 70/100. If your city is one of them — or you just want extra protection — a certified filter is the fastest way to reduce exposure. The findings that drag a score down (lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate) are exactly the ones a basic carbon pitcher does not remove.
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The MWRA delivers water from the Quabbin Reservoir and Wachusett Reservoir, among the largest protected surface-water supplies in the U.S., to roughly 3 million residents. Many smaller communities, particularly on Cape Cod and in central and western Massachusetts, rely on groundwater wells that are more susceptible to PFAS and road-salt contamination.
These contaminants have been detected in various Massachusetts water systems
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regulates drinking water and set an enforceable PFAS6 limit of 20 parts per trillion ahead of federal action. The state actively monitors PFAS in public systems and provides funding for lead service line replacement in older communities.
Lead remains a concern in older cities such as Boston, Worcester, and Springfield where lead service lines persist. PFAS has been detected in numerous Cape Cod and central Massachusetts systems. Private-well users near former industrial or military sites should be particularly attentive to PFAS testing.
Massachusetts residents in homes built before 1986 should test for lead and consider an NSF 53 certified filter. For PFAS, look for reverse osmosis or activated-carbon systems certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or P473. Cape Cod well owners should test for PFAS and nitrate; the state offers guidance and, in some cases, testing assistance.
Most Massachusetts cities we grade have tap water in good standing with EPA. With an average score of 91/100 across 48 graded cities, Massachusetts generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by utility, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Massachusetts include pfas ('forever chemicals'), lead (older service lines and plumbing), sodium and chloride (road-salt runoff). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 2 Massachusetts cities grading D or F on EPA records, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Massachusetts are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Massachusetts water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Massachusetts. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Massachusetts city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Springfield has the highest water quality score in Massachusetts at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Massachusetts page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Massachusetts are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area