D24/100

Great Barrington Tap Water Quality: Is It Safe to Drink? (2026 Report)

Serving 5,766 residents · Massachusetts

What's In Great Barrington's Tap Water?

31
Contaminants Tested
0
Exceed EPA Limits
1
Above EPA Goals
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
ContaminantDetectedLimit (MCL)Status
Lead (90th percentile)
0.003 mg/L0.015 mg/LAbove Goal

EPA Violation History

No violations in the past 5 years

Full EPA compliance since 2018.

Understanding violation severity

Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly

Water Utility Details

GREAT BARRINGTON FIRE DIST
Population Served

4,375

Water Source

Groundwater

System ID

MA1113000

HOUSATONIC WATER WORKS
Population Served

1,391

Water Source

Surface Water

System ID

MA1113003

Frequently Asked Questions About Great Barrington Water

Is Great Barrington tap water safe to drink?

Great Barrington, Massachusetts tap water receives a grade of D (24/100), which is considered poor. 1 contaminant(s) exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels and 123 violation(s) are on record. Residents should consider using an NSF-certified water filter to reduce contaminant exposure.

What contaminants are in Great Barrington's water?

Of the 32 contaminants tested in Great Barrington's water supply, the most notable include Copper (90th percentile), Lead (90th percentile). 1 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits (MCLs). 2 contaminant(s) exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs), which are non-enforceable targets set at levels with no known health risk.

Does Great Barrington have any water quality violations?

Yes, Great Barrington has 123 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2021. Violation types include Other, MCL, MR. 7 of these are health-based violations, which are the most serious category.

Do I need a water filter in Great Barrington?

Based on EPA data, using a water filter in Great Barrington is recommended. 1 contaminant(s) exceed legal limits. An NSF-certified filter — such as a reverse osmosis or activated carbon system — can effectively reduce many common contaminants. Choose a filter certified to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.

Where does Great Barrington's tap water come from?

Great Barrington's drinking water is sourced from groundwater and supplied by GREAT BARRINGTON FIRE DIST and 1 other water system(s). The system serves approximately 5,766 people. Groundwater is pumped from underground aquifers, which often provides natural filtration.

How often is Great Barrington's water tested?

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), water utilities are required to regularly test for over 90 contaminants. Testing frequency varies by contaminant — some are tested monthly, others quarterly or annually. Great Barrington's water systems must report results to the EPA and publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The data on this page reflects the latest available EPA testing data.

How does Great Barrington's water compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Great Barrington's water quality score of 24/100 earns a grade of D, which is considered poor. This is a concerning score that suggests significant water quality issues. Visit our Massachusetts state page to see how all cities in the state compare.

What should I do if I'm concerned about Great Barrington's water quality?

If you have concerns about Great Barrington's tap water, consider these steps: (1) Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed local data. (2) Get your water independently tested through a state-certified laboratory. (3) Consider an NSF-certified water filter rated for the contaminants found in your area. (4) Contact your water utility (GREAT BARRINGTON FIRE DIST) with specific questions. (5) Report water quality issues to your state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts