Water quality
Massachusetts water quality
According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the state set a drinking water standard of 20 parts per trillion for the sum of six PFAS in 2020, ahead of federal limits. Lead from older service lines and home plumbing remains a focus, and utilities have been completing service line inventories. Some PFAS detections have led individual communities to install treatment.
Documented considerations
PFAS
According to MassDEP, the state's 2020 standard sets a maximum contaminant level of 20 ng/L (ppt) for the sum of six PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, PFDA) for community and non-transient non-community systems.
Lead
According to MassDEP, lead in tap water comes primarily from service lines and household plumbing; communities have been completing full service line inventories submitted to the state.
Disinfection byproducts
Chlorinated surface-water systems can form total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids; large suppliers like MWRA publish annual byproduct results in their water quality reports.
Certified filters for Massachusetts's main concerns
- 7.5Culligan US-EZ-4 Under-Sink
An under-sink filter genuinely IAPMO certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 for lead, cysts, VOCs, mercury and PFOA/PFOS.
- 7.2Aquasana AQ-5200 Under-Sink
Certified for lead and PFAS, cheap per gallon, marketing matches the certified scope.
- 7.2AquaTru Classic Countertop RO
A no-plumbing countertop 4-stage RO purifier certified to NSF standards for lead, PFAS, fluoride and arsenic with an efficient drain ratio.
- 4.9ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher (7-Cup)
A five-stage ion-exchange pitcher certified for lead, chromium-6 and PFOA/PFOS - but a short 15-gallon filter makes it costly to run.
- 7.3Brita Elite Pitcher (10-Cup)
A pour-through pitcher whose Elite filter is certified to reduce lead, mercury, cadmium and more, with a long 120-gallon cartridge.
- 6.8Frizzlife SK99 Under-Sink Filter
A direct-connect 3-stage under-sink filter with a 0.5 micron carbon block, IAPMO certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 for chlorine, lead and chloramine.
FAQ
- Is Massachusetts tap water safe to drink?
- According to MassDEP, public water systems must meet state and federal standards, including the state's PFAS limit of 20 ppt. Lead can still enter water through older home plumbing, so checking your system's report is recommended.
- What is the Massachusetts PFAS limit?
- According to MassDEP, the state's Maximum Contaminant Level is 20 nanograms per liter (parts per trillion) for the combined total of six named PFAS, set in 2020 for community and non-transient non-community systems.
- Should I worry about lead in Massachusetts water?
- According to MassDEP, lead typically comes from older service lines and household plumbing rather than the source water. Many systems are inventorying lead service lines under federal rules; homes built before 1986 are most at risk.
Sources
- Mass.gov - PFAS in Drinking Water
- Mass.gov - Massachusetts PFAS Drinking Water Standard (MCL)
- MWRA - 2024 Annual Water Quality Test Results
Not sure how to read your local report? See our guide on reading a water quality report.