Dartmouth, MA Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Dartmouth, MA — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Dartmouth's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Dartmouth Water Division PWSID: MA4072000 Updated: 2026 Q2

⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points

Lead is 7.00 ppb, 47% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points, running as high as 6.33 times the limit.

Dartmouth earns a D for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 7.00 ppb — 47% of the federal action level

PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points

16 violations since 2015, 12 health-based

No violations currently open

Dartmouth's lead level vs. all Massachusetts community water systems

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: 7.00 ppb — 47% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than 10% of Massachusetts utilities

Population Served

31510

~9547 connections

Water Source

Surface water

Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

Active Violations

16 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)

90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system

47% of EPA action level

7.00 ppb

Action level: 15 ppb

The 90th-percentile lead result is 7.00 ppb, 47% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

Contaminant	Type	Measured	Limit	Period	Status
ENTEROCOCCI	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2024	Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.060 mg/L	2021	Archived
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.060 mg/L	2021	Archived
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.060 mg/L	2021	Archived
ENTEROCOCCI	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2020	Resolved
TTHM	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.080 mg/L	2020	Archived
TTHM	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.080 mg/L	2020	Archived
Public Notice	OTHER	—	—	2020	Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule	TREATMENT TECHNIQUE	—	—	2019	Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule	REPORTING FAILURE	—	—	2019	Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.060 mg/L	2019	Archived
TTHM	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.080 mg/L	2017	Archived
TTHM	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.080 mg/L	2017	Archived
TTHM	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.080 mg/L	2016	Archived
TTHM	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.080 mg/L	2015	Archived
TTHM	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	0.080 mg/L	2015	Archived

Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

16 violations are on record since 2015, of which 12 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Dartmouth Water Division

PWSID MA4072000

Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

Population served 31,510

Service connections 9,547

Systems serving this area 2

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dartmouth tap water safe to drink? ▼

It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 7.00 ppb, 47% of the action level.

Does Dartmouth water have PFAS? ▼

Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points, running as high as 6.33 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.

Who supplies water to Dartmouth? ▼

Dartmouth Water Division (PWSID MA4072000), one of 2 systems serving this area. Surface water. Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

When was this system last inspected? ▼

It was last inspected on 2025-10-06. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Dartmouth Residents Do?

Consider a reverse-osmosis filter

Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.

Check for a lead service line

Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.

Flush before drinking

If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

New Bedford, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Bristol Fall River, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Bristol Taunton, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Bristol Attleboro, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Bristol North Attleborough Town, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Bristol Easton, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Bristol