D20/100
CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 118,214 people · Massachusetts
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
MA3049000
Violations
66
Contaminant Test Results
2 contaminants above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
chlorate | 220.00 µg/L | — | Above Goal |
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.008 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
No violations in the past 5 years
Full EPA compliance since 2019.
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
Frequently Asked Questions About CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT
Is CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink?
CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT water receives a grade of D (20/100), which is considered poor. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 66 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.
What contaminants has CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT detected?
76 contaminants were tested in CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile), chlorate. No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 2 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT have any EPA violations?
Yes, CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT has 66 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2019. Violation types include MR, Other, MCL. 2 are health-based violations.
How many people does CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT serve?
CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT serves approximately 118,214 people, Massachusetts. The system provides water to 1 community: Cambridge.
What type of water does CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT provide?
CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is MA3049000.
How does CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT compare to other utilities in Massachusetts?
CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT scores 20/100 with a grade of D (poor). This score suggests significant water quality concerns relative to other utilities. Visit our Massachusetts state page for a full comparison of water systems.