Malden, MA Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Malden Water Division (mwra) PWSID: MA3165000 Updated: 2026 Q2

✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 9.74 ppb, 65% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

Malden earns a B for water quality

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

Lead: 9.74 ppb — 65% of the federal action level

PFAS tested, none detected

4 violations since 2015, 1 health-based

No violations currently open

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

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: 9.74 ppb — 65% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than 3% of Massachusetts utilities

Population Served

63849

~11855 connections

Water Source

Surface water

Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

Active Violations

4 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)

90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system

65% of EPA action level

9.74 ppb

Action level: 15 ppb

The 90th-percentile lead result is 9.74 ppb, 65% 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
Consumer Confidence Rule	OTHER	—	—	2022	Unaddressed
Lead and Copper Rule	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2019	Addressed
Lead and Copper Rule	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	TT	2018	Addressed
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule	TREATMENT TECHNIQUE	—	—	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 1 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Malden Water Division (Mwra)

PWSID MA3165000

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

Population served 63,849

Service connections 11,855

Systems serving this area 4

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Malden tap water safe to drink? ▼

No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 9.74 ppb, 65% of the action level.

Does Malden water have PFAS? ▼

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

Who supplies water to Malden? ▼

Malden Water Division (Mwra) (PWSID MA3165000), one of 4 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 2024-04-30. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Malden Residents Do?

Consider a filter certified for lead

Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction.

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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