Ipswich, MA Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Ipswich Dpu Water Dept PWSID: MA3144000 Updated: 2026 Q2

⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 5 sampling points

Lead is 10.00 ppb, 67% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 5 sampling points, running as high as 1.61 times the limit.

Ipswich earns a C for water quality

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

Lead: 10.00 ppb — 67% of the federal action level

PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 5 sampling points

4 violations since 2015, 0 health-based

No violations currently open

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

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: 10.00 ppb — 67% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than 2% of Massachusetts utilities

Population Served

13610

~4880 connections

Water Source

Surface water

Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

Active Violations

4 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)

90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system

67% of EPA action level

10.00 ppb

Action level: 15 ppb

The 90th-percentile lead result is 10.00 ppb, 67% 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
Nitrite	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	1 mg/L	2023	Archived
Nitrate	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	10 mg/L	2023	Archived
Lead and Copper Rule	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2020	Addressed
Consumer Confidence Rule	OTHER	—	—	2016	Resolved

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

4 violations are on record since 2015, of which 0 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Ipswich Dpu Water Dept

PWSID MA3144000

Water source Surface water — Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

Population served 13,610

Service connections 4,880

Systems serving this area 3

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ipswich tap water safe to drink? ▼

It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 5 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 10.00 ppb, 67% of the action level.

Does Ipswich water have PFAS? ▼

Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 5 sampling points, running as high as 1.61 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.

Who supplies water to Ipswich? ▼

Ipswich Dpu Water Dept (PWSID MA3144000), one of 3 systems serving this area. Surface water. Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

When was this system last inspected? ▼

It was last inspected on 2025-09-16. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Ipswich 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

Lynn, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Essex Lawrence, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Essex Haverhill, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Essex Peabody, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Essex Salem, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Essex Beverly, Ma Tap Water Quality 2026 Essex