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Reading, MA Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Reading Water Department (mwra) PWSID: MA3246000 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 8.39 ppb, 56% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

B

Reading earns a B for water quality

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

Lead: 8.39 ppb — 56% of the federal action level
PFAS tested, none detected
2 violations since 2015, 1 health-based
No violations currently open
Reading's lead level vs. all Massachusetts community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 8.39 ppb — 56% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 4% of Massachusetts utilities
Population Served
25503
~8392 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Active Violations
0
2 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
56% of EPA action level
8.39 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 8.39 ppb, 56% 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
Nitrite MONITORING AND REPORTING — 1 mg/L 2023 Archived
Revised Total Coliform Rule MCL EXCEEDANCE — — 2019 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

2 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 Reading Water Department (Mwra)
PWSID MA3246000
Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Population served 25,503
Service connections 8,392
Systems serving this area 4
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reading tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 8.39 ppb, 56% of the action level.
Does Reading water have PFAS? ▼
It was tested for the six regulated PFAS compounds and none were detected.
Who supplies water to Reading? ▼
Reading Water Department (Mwra) (PWSID MA3246000), 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 2024-03-26. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Reading Residents Do?

1
Consider a filter certified for lead
Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction.
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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