A87/100
CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 101,079 people · Massachusetts
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
MA4201000
Violations
2
Contaminant Test Results
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.004 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
No violations in the past 5 years
Full EPA compliance since 1994.
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 CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI
Is CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI water safe to drink?
CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI water receives a grade of A (87/100), which is considered excellent. Out of 69 contaminants tested, none exceed EPA legal limits. 1 contaminant(s) exceed non-enforceable health goals. The water meets federal safety standards.
What contaminants has CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI detected?
69 contaminants were tested in CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI have any EPA violations?
Yes, CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI has 2 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 1994. Violation types include MCL. 2 are health-based violations.
How many people does CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI serve?
CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI serves approximately 101,079 people, Massachusetts. The system provides water to 1 community: New Bedford.
What type of water does CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI provide?
CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI 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 MA4201000.
How does CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI compare to other utilities in Massachusetts?
CITY OF NEW BEDFORD DPI scores 87/100 with a grade of A (excellent). This places it among the higher-performing utilities in the state. Visit our Massachusetts state page for a full comparison of water systems.