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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 data for 8 cities serving 489,357 residents
Essex County in Massachusetts has an average water quality score of 79/100 (Grade B) based on analysis of 8 municipal water systems. The county's water systems serve approximately 489,357 residents.
Water quality in Essex County is fair, with some cities showing room for improvement. 2 cities have scores below 70, indicating elevated contaminant levels that residents should be aware of. Haverhill has the best water quality at 95/100.
8 cities ranked by water quality score
| Rank | City | Score | Grade | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haverhill Top concern: Haloacetic Acids (22.2% of limit) | 95 | A+ | 63,103 |
| 2 | Peabody Top concern: Total Trihalomethanes (20% of limit) | 94 | A | 57,675 |
| 3 | Lawrence Top concern: Haloacetic Acids (35.4% of limit) | 79 | B | 88,598 |
| 4 | Salem Top concern: Haloacetic Acids (42% of limit) | 79 | B | 47,782 |
| 5 | Methuen Top concern: Total Trihalomethanes (40.5% of limit) | 75 | B | 56,826 |
| 6 | Andover Top concern: Copper (27.9% of limit) | 72 | B- | 35,261 |
| 7 | Lynn Top concern: Copper (50% of limit) | 68 | C+ | 99,997 |
| 8 | Beverly Top concern: Total Trihalomethanes (43.5% of limit) | 67 | C+ | 40,115 |
Top detected contaminants across county water systems
| Contaminant | Avg Level | Max Level | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids | 19.221 ug/L | 26.284 ug/L | 60 ug/L | 32% | 5 |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 17.932 ug/L | 34.794 ug/L | 80 ug/L | 22.4% | 8 |
| Fluoride | 0.889 mg/L | 1.215 mg/L | 4 mg/L | 22.2% | 8 |
| Copper | 0.259 mg/L | 0.649 mg/L | 1.3 mg/L | 19.9% | 6 |
| Mercury | 0 mg/L | 0.001 mg/L | 0.002 mg/L | 18.3% | 6 |
| Nitrate | 1.754 mg/L | 4.598 mg/L | 10 mg/L | 17.5% | 8 |
| Nitrite | 0.172 mg/L | 0.283 mg/L | 1 mg/L | 17.2% | 8 |
| Lead | 0.002 mg/L | 0.006 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 16.6% | 7 |
Recent violations across county water systems
Showing 10 of 16 recent violations
Water quality in Essex County, Massachusetts reflects the region's unique combination of water sources, treatment infrastructure, and environmental factors. Our comprehensive analysis examines 8 municipal water systems serving a combined population of over 489,357 residents.
The county shows moderate water quality performance, with scores ranging from 67/100 in Beverly to 95/100 in Haverhill. This 28-point spread indicates significant variation in water quality across the county, suggesting different water sources or treatment approaches.
The most prevalent contaminants detected across Essex County water systems include Haloacetic Acids, Total Trihalomethanes, Fluoride. All monitored contaminants remain within acceptable levels relative to EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
Water quality in Essex County is fair but shows room for improvement. Residents in cities scoring below 70 should consider water filtration, particularly for drinking and cooking. Check your specific city's report above for personalized recommendations.
Essex County has an average water quality score of 79/100 (Grade B) based on analysis of 8 municipal water systems serving 489,357 residents.
Haverhill has the highest water quality score in Essex County at 95/100. View the detailed report for Haverhill.
Given the water quality variation across Essex County, we recommend reviewing your specific city's water quality report. 2 cities have scores below 70, where filtration is particularly recommended.
Click on any city in the rankings table above to view its detailed water quality report, including contaminant levels, EPA compliance history, and filter recommendations.