Is Egremont, MA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A- — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
87/100
waterverge.com Egremont, MA — Water Quality Report
Egremont's drinking water received a grade of A- (87 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.3 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 41 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Egremont's water
Egremont ranks #78 out of 280 cities in Massachusetts for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Egremont may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Egremont, MA water safe to drink?
Egremont's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Egremont
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Egremont's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3599). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: HEXACHLOROBENZENE, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Picloram.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3350). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Egremont's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Egremont's water system has 41 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Berkshire County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1985. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Housatonic River, Green River.
Where does Egremont's water come from?
Egremont's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Housatonic River (river), Green River (river).
What Egremont residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Egremont's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Egremont's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Berkshire County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1985. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Egremont's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 2.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.70 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how Egremont compares by contaminant
Explore where Egremont ranks among all Massachusetts cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Egremont's water comes from
Egremont's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,000 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Egremont
Egremont is located near 2 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Egremont
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGREMONT WATER DEPT | MA1090000 | 1,000 | SW |
How Egremont compares
Full Massachusetts rankings →Egremont's score of 87/100 is above the average of 80/100 among major Massachusetts cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Massachusetts rankings →Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Egremont's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Berkshire
Frequently asked questions
Is Egremont, MA tap water safe to drink?
Egremont's water quality earned a grade of A- (87/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #78 out of 280 cities tested in Massachusetts.
What contaminants are in Egremont's water?
Lead was measured at 2.3 ppb (90th percentile). 41 violations are on record.
How is Egremont's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Egremont?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Egremont's water come from?
Egremont's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 residents.
What health violations has Egremont's water system had?
Egremont has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2015. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Egremont's water compare to other cities?
Egremont ranks #78 out of 280 cities in Massachusetts (better than 72% of state cities) and #4346 out of 15744 cities nationally (72th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Egremont's small water system affect quality?
Egremont's system serves approximately 1,000 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 41 violations on record.