TapSafetyReport
F0/100

TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT — Water Quality Report 2026

Serving 6,500 people · Massachusetts

Water Source
Groundwater
County
—
System ID
MA2299000
Violations
116

Contaminant Test Results

1 contaminant above EPA health goals
ContaminantDetectedLimit (MCL)Status
Lead (90th percentile)
0.003 mg/L0.015 mg/LAbove Goal

EPA Violation History

8

Violations (last 5yr)

3

Unresolved

0

Health-Related

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: April 1, 2023 – July 11, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: September 29, 2022 – July 11, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
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.

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
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.

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved

Failed to issue ongoing public notification

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2022 – June 15, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
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.

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Enforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved

Failed to issue ongoing public notification

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2022 – June 15, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Surface water treatment technique failure

When: July 1, 2021 – August 16, 2021Enforcement: Formal — state order issued

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 TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT

Is TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink?

TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 116 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.

What contaminants has TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT detected?

31 contaminants were tested in TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).

Does TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT have any EPA violations?

Yes, TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT has 116 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2023. Violation types include MR, Other, MCL. 14 are health-based violations.

How many people does TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT serve?

TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT serves approximately 6,500 people, Massachusetts. The system provides water to 1 community: Townsend.

What type of water does TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT provide?

TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT sources its water from groundwater. Groundwater is pumped from underground aquifers, which often provides natural filtration. The utility's system ID is MA2299000.

How does TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT compare to other utilities in Massachusetts?

TOWNSEND WATER DEPARTMENT scores 0/100 with a grade of F (failing). This score suggests significant water quality concerns relative to other utilities. Visit our Massachusetts state page for a full comparison of water systems.

Cities Served

Townsend