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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 01071 Water Quality & Testing Report

Russell, MA · Hampden County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 01071 (Russell, MA)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 01071 (Russell, MA) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Russell Water Department, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (83/100) with 0 health violations, 3.7 ppb lead, and moderately hard (84 mg/L / 4.9 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

1

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 0 unresolved violation. Contact Russell Water Department for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 01071

Tap water in ZIP code 01071 (Russell, MA) is distributed by Russell Water Department (EPA ID: MA1256000), serving approximately 1,228 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 83/100.

Water System

Russell Water Department

EPA ID: MA1256000

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

1,228 residents

County

Hampden County County, Massachusetts

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Lead Levels in ZIP 01071

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 3.7 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 01071 is 3.7 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 01071 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 51% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
3.70 ppb (0.0037 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

51%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard4.9 GPG · 84 mg/L

Water in ZIP 01071 is Moderately Hard (84 mg/L / 4.9 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

4.9 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

84 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Russell Water Department · PWSID: MA1256000

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Russell Water Department has recorded 1 violation, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions).

Total Violations (5 yr)
1
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Moderate based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 01071 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 3 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.02%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 01071

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 01071 served by Russell Water Department can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in MA for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 01071 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Russell Water Department
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

🚰

NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 01071 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 01071?+
Yes — tap water in 01071 (Russell, MA) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 01071 (Russell, MA)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 01071, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in MA. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 01071?+
Tap water in 01071 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 84 mg/L (4.9 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 01071?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 01071 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 01071 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 01071 is 3.7 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 01071?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 01071. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 01071?+
Tap water in ZIP code 01071 is provided by Russell Water Department (EPA ID: MA1256000), serving approximately 1,228 residents.
What water filter should I use in 01071?+
Based on water metrics for 01071, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 01071 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Russell Water Department. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →