01The verdict: is Hinsdale water safe?
Hinsdale's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (68.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 1,940 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
29 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓2K people, 4 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓3 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Hinsdale's drinking water received a grade of C+ (68.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 1,940 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 6.9 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 308 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 29 remain unresolved.
Hinsdale ranks #230 out of 269 cities in Massachusetts for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Hinsdale may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Hinsdale's water
Every contaminant flagged in Hinsdale, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 6.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Massachusetts
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Massachusetts
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Hinsdale's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 308 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 29 remain unresolved.
7 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 5.6 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0.36 ppb (2025) — 2% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Hinsdale's water comes from
Hinsdale's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
4 systems
4 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,940 people
Residents served across Hinsdale's service area.
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 1,940 people through 4 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HINSDALE WATER DEPT | MA1132000 | 1,800 | Surface Water |
| SOUTH ASHMERE WATER ASSOCIATION INC | MA1132002 | 150 | Groundwater |
| BISSELVILLE ESTATE | MA1132009 | 74 | Groundwater |
| ASHMERE WATER SERVICE | MA1132008 | 66 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Hinsdale
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Hinsdale's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Hinsdale's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Berkshire County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Berkshire County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Hinsdale compares
Scores for nearby Massachusetts cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Massachusetts average (81/100)
Hinsdale scores 68.5/100 — below the Massachusetts average of 81/100. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. Full Massachusetts rankings →
76.8 / 100BWorcester, MA
78.9 / 100BSpringfield, MA
82.9 / 100ABeverly, MA
87.5 / 100BCambridge, MA
81 / 100BLowell, MA
84.5 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Hinsdale's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.9 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Hinsdale alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Hinsdale, MA tap water safe to drink?
Hinsdale's water quality earned a grade of C+ (68.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #230 out of 269 cities tested in Massachusetts.
What contaminants are in Hinsdale's water?
Lead was measured at 6.9 ppb (90th percentile). 308 violations are on record.
How is Hinsdale'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 Hinsdale?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Hinsdale's water come from?
Hinsdale's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 1,940 residents.
What health violations has Hinsdale's water system had?
Hinsdale has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 29 violations remain unresolved.
How does Hinsdale's water compare to other cities?
Hinsdale ranks #230 out of 269 cities in Massachusetts (better than 14% of state cities) and #10903 out of 15382 cities nationally (29th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.