Copper Contamination

Copper in Massachusetts Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

2.217 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

263

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in Massachusetts: what the data shows

Massachusetts has 90 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 2.217 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 90 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

Massachusetts

100%

90 of 90 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across Massachusetts

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in Massachusetts

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All Massachusetts cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Westborough	6.630 mg/L	Yes	13	D
2	Templeton	6.620 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
3	Barre	5.700 mg/L	Yes	20	C
4	Blackstone	5.000 mg/L	Yes	9	B+
5	Upton	4.860 mg/L	Yes	9	C
6	Chilmark	4.530 mg/L	Yes	10	D+
7	Boylston	4.400 mg/L	Yes	11	B
8	Spencer	4.200 mg/L	Yes	4	B
9	Shrewsbury	4.160 mg/L	Yes	3	B+
10	Franklin	3.500 mg/L	Yes	11	B+
11	Bolton	3.300 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
12	Hingham	3.100 mg/L	Yes	2	C+
13	Hardwick	2.860 mg/L	Yes	10	C+
14	Northbridge	2.670 mg/L	Yes	8	A-
15	Holliston	2.660 mg/L	Yes	11	C-
16	Belchertown	2.617 mg/L	Yes	26	B-
17	Wellfleet	2.615 mg/L	Yes	7	C+
18	Mashpee	2.610 mg/L	Yes	4	B
19	Cheshire	2.600 mg/L	Yes	6	A-
20	West Boylston	2.590 mg/L	Yes	22	B
21	Southborough	2.500 mg/L	Yes	5	A
22	Groton	2.500 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
23	Granby	2.380 mg/L	Yes	13	B
24	Warren	2.300 mg/L	Yes	20	C+
25	Sutton	2.300 mg/L	Yes	17	B
26	Worcester	2.290 mg/L	Yes	3	B
27	Holden	2.280 mg/L	Yes	18	B
28	Fitchburg	2.270 mg/L	Yes	9	B+
29	Medway	2.160 mg/L	Yes	14	B-
30	North Brookfield	2.150 mg/L	Yes	4	A-
31	Leicester	2.110 mg/L	Yes	121	D
32	Wrentham	2.100 mg/L	Yes	64	F
33	Palmer	2.100 mg/L	Yes	11	B
34	Paxton	2.100 mg/L	Yes	11	A-
35	Gardner	2.020 mg/L	Yes	7	A-
36	Norfolk	2.000 mg/L	Yes	12	F
37	Rutland	1.990 mg/L	Yes	22	C-
38	East Bridgewater	1.980 mg/L	Yes	6	B+
39	Bellingham	1.910 mg/L	Yes	21	B-
40	Leominster	1.900 mg/L	Yes	12	B
41	Wareham	1.900 mg/L	Yes	22	B
42	Hudson	1.900 mg/L	Yes	7	F
43	Maynard	1.900 mg/L	Yes	8	B-
44	Lunenburg	1.900 mg/L	Yes	11	A-
45	Harvard	1.900 mg/L	Yes	17	F
46	Huntington	1.860 mg/L	Yes	4	C+
47	Northborough	1.830 mg/L	Yes	10	B
48	Westford	1.800 mg/L	Yes	9	B
49	Plymouth	1.780 mg/L	Yes	20	F
50	Dover	1.750 mg/L	Yes	20	C
51	Acton	1.700 mg/L	Yes	28	F
52	Ashburnham	1.700 mg/L	Yes	11	B+
53	Auburn	1.700 mg/L	Yes	16	D+
54	Littleton	1.700 mg/L	Yes	13	A-
55	Sturbridge	1.700 mg/L	Yes	7	B+
56	Egremont	1.700 mg/L	Yes	3	A-
57	Chester	1.700 mg/L	Yes	15	C
58	Plainville	1.670 mg/L	Yes	9	B
59	Winchendon	1.670 mg/L	Yes	13	A-
60	Tyngsborough	1.663 mg/L	Yes	9	C-
61	Grafton	1.630 mg/L	Yes	25	F
62	Kingston	1.600 mg/L	Yes	12	C
63	Shirley	1.600 mg/L	Yes	18	C
64	Douglas	1.600 mg/L	Yes	13	A
65	Falmouth	1.580 mg/L	Yes	23	B
66	Great Barrington	1.550 mg/L	Yes	12	C+
67	Carver	1.530 mg/L	Yes	23	C-
68	Bourne	1.510 mg/L	Yes	16	B-
69	Bridgewater	1.500 mg/L	Yes	5	C+
70	Webster	1.500 mg/L	Yes	19	B
71	Pepperell	1.500 mg/L	Yes	12	B-
72	Nantucket	1.490 mg/L	Yes	12	D
73	Hopkinton	1.490 mg/L	Yes	24	B-
74	Millis	1.420 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
75	Barnstable	1.400 mg/L	Yes	34	D+
76	Ayer	1.400 mg/L	Yes	4	B
77	Uxbridge	1.400 mg/L	Yes	2	A-
78	Orange	1.400 mg/L	Yes	5	A
79	Tisbury	1.400 mg/L	Yes	9	B+
80	Dudley	1.400 mg/L	Yes	14	B+
81	Berlin	1.400 mg/L	Yes	4	C
82	Deerfield	1.394 mg/L	Yes	9	C+
83	Sharon	1.390 mg/L	Yes	5	D+
84	Stoughton	1.370 mg/L	Yes	13	B
85	Atkinson	1.355 mg/L	Yes	7	C+
86	Dighton	1.350 mg/L	Yes	7	D+
87	Marshfield	1.350 mg/L	Yes	9	B-
88	Middleborough	1.350 mg/L	Yes	16	B
89	Marion	1.350 mg/L	Yes	15	A-
90	Southampton	1.350 mg/L	Yes	4	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in Massachusetts

Is copper in Massachusetts drinking water safe?

90 cities in Massachusetts exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 2.217 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in Massachusetts tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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