Northampton, MA Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Northampton Water Division PWSID: MA1214000 Updated: 2026 Q2

✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 2.60 ppb, 17% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

Northampton earns a B for water quality

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

Lead: 2.60 ppb — 17% of the federal action level

PFAS tested, none detected

4 violations since 2015, 1 health-based

No violations currently open

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

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: 2.60 ppb — 17% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than 50% of Massachusetts utilities

Population Served

29192

~9024 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

17% of EPA action level

2.60 ppb

Action level: 15 ppb

The 90th-percentile lead result is 2.60 ppb, 17% 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
CARBON, TOTAL	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2019	Resolved
Coliform (TCR)	MCL EXCEEDANCE	—	5% of samples	2015	Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2015	Resolved
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

4 violations are on record since 2015, of which 1 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Northampton Water Division

PWSID MA1214000

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

Population served 29,192

Service connections 9,024

Systems serving this area 3

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Northampton tap water safe to drink? ▼

No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 2.60 ppb, 17% of the action level.

Does Northampton water have PFAS? ▼

It was tested for the six regulated PFAS compounds and none were detected.

Who supplies water to Northampton? ▼

Northampton Water Division (PWSID MA1214000), 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 2024-05-14. Inspectors recorded 2 significant deficiencies.

What Should Northampton Residents Do?

Read your annual water report

Your supplier publishes a Consumer Confidence Report each July covering the prior year.

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.

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