A90/100
READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 27,358 people · Massachusetts
Water Source
Purchased Surface Water
County
—
System ID
MA3246000
Violations
3
Contaminant Test Results
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.008 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
1
Violation (last 5yr)
1
Unresolved
0
Health-Related
TIER 3Unresolved
Exceeded the MCL for disinfection byproducts
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
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 READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA)
Is READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) water safe to drink?
READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) water receives a grade of A (90/100), 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 READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) detected?
69 contaminants were tested in READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA)'s water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) have any EPA violations?
Yes, READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) has 3 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2023. Violation types include MR, MCL. 1 are health-based violations.
How many people does READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) serve?
READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) serves approximately 27,358 people, Massachusetts. The system provides water to 1 community: Reading.
What type of water does READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) provide?
READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) sources its water from purchased surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is MA3246000.
How does READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) compare to other utilities in Massachusetts?
READING WATER DEPARTMENT (MWRA) scores 90/100 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.