A99/100
SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 44,480 people · Massachusetts
Water Source
Purchased Surface Water
County
—
System ID
MA3258000
Violations
0
Contaminant Test Results
2 contaminants above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
chlorate | 370.00 µg/L | — | Above Goal |
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.003 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
No violations in the past 5 years
This system has a clean compliance history.
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 SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT
Is SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink?
SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT water receives a grade of A (99/100), which is considered excellent. Out of 69 contaminants tested, none exceed EPA legal limits. 2 contaminant(s) exceed non-enforceable health goals. The water meets federal safety standards.
What contaminants has SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT detected?
69 contaminants were tested in SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile), chlorate. No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 2 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT have any EPA violations?
No, SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT has zero EPA violations on record. This indicates consistent compliance with federal drinking water standards.
How many people does SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT serve?
SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT serves approximately 44,480 people, Massachusetts. The system provides water to 1 community: Salem.
What type of water does SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT provide?
SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT 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 MA3258000.
How does SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT compare to other utilities in Massachusetts?
SALEM WATER DEPARTMENT scores 99/100 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.