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Hanover, MA Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Hanover Water Dept PWSID: MA4122000 Updated: 2026 Q2
⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 2 of 3 sampling points

Lead is 4.00 ppb, 27% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 3 sampling points, running as high as 1.98 times the limit.

C

Hanover earns a C for water quality

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

Lead: 4.00 ppb — 27% of the federal action level
PFAS above the federal limit at 2 of 3 sampling points
11 violations since 2015, 9 health-based
No violations currently open
Hanover's lead level vs. all Massachusetts community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 4.00 ppb — 27% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 30% of Massachusetts utilities
Population Served
14833
~5172 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water — SDWIS source code GU
Active Violations
0
11 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
27% of EPA action level
4.00 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 4.00 ppb, 27% 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
Tetrachloroethylene MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.005 mg/L 2024 Archived
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2020 Archived
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2019 Archived
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2019 Archived
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2019 Archived
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2019 Archived
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2018 Archived
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2018 Archived
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2015 Archived
Coliform (TCR) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 5% of samples 2015 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE — 0.080 mg/L 2015 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

11 violations are on record since 2015, of which 9 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Hanover Water Dept
PWSID MA4122000
Water source Surface water — Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water — SDWIS source code GU
Population served 14,833
Service connections 5,172
Systems serving this area 4
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hanover tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 3 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 4.00 ppb, 27% of the action level.
Does Hanover water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 3 sampling points, running as high as 1.98 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Hanover? ▼
Hanover Water Dept (PWSID MA4122000), one of 4 systems serving this area. Surface water. Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water — SDWIS source code GU
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2024-03-28. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Hanover 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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