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Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

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

Main Utility: Manchester By The Sea Dpw PWSID: MA3166000 Updated: 2026 Q2
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PFAS above the federal limit

Lead is 1.40 ppb, 9% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points, running as high as 2.71 times the limit.

C

Manchester-by-the-Sea earns a C for water quality

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

Lead: 1.40 ppb — 9% of the federal action level
PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points
2 violations since 2015, 0 health-based
No violations currently open
Manchester-by-the-Sea's lead level vs. all Massachusetts community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 1.40 ppb — 9% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 84% of Massachusetts utilities
Population Served
5371
~2637 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Active Violations
0
2 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
9% of EPA action level
1.40 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 1.40 ppb, 9% 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)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2020 Addressed
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2015 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

2 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 Manchester By The Sea Dpw
PWSID MA3166000
Water source Surface water — Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Population served 5,371
Service connections 2,637
Systems serving this area 2
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manchester-by-the-Sea tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 1.40 ppb, 9% of the action level.
Does Manchester-by-the-Sea water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points, running as high as 2.71 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Manchester-by-the-Sea? ▼
Manchester By The Sea Dpw (PWSID MA3166000), one of 2 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 2023-09-25. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Manchester-by-the-Sea Residents Do?

1
Consider a reverse-osmosis filter
Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.
2
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.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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