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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Active Advisories Noted

ZIP Code 02217 Water Quality & Testing Report

Boston, MA · Suffolk County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 02217 (Boston, MA)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 02217 (Boston, MA) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Mwra, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of A (92/100) with 0 health violations, 5.9 ppb lead, and moderately hard (60 mg/L / 3.5 GPG) water.

Safety Score
A

Water Safety Grade

Excellent — Meets all EPA standards

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

3

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

0

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 2 unresolved violations and 1 boil water advisory. Contact Mwra for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 02217

Tap water in ZIP code 02217 (Boston, MA) is distributed by Mwra (EPA ID: MA6000000), serving approximately 2,660,000 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of A with a composite quality score of 92/100.

Water System

Mwra

EPA ID: MA6000000

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

2,660,000 residents

County

Suffolk County County, Massachusetts

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Lead Levels in ZIP 02217

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

Lead Level: 5.9 ppb — Moderate

The 90th percentile lead level in 02217 is 5.9 ppb. This is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, but above ideal health goals. Consider a certified lead-reducing filter.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
5.90 ppb (0.0059 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

6.9 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.1 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
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 Hard3.5 GPG · 60 mg/L

Water in ZIP 02217 is Moderately Hard (60 mg/L / 3.5 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

3.5 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

60 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Mwra · PWSID: MA6000000

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Mwra has recorded 3 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions). 2 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records. Additionally, 1 boil water advisory/advisories were active during this period.

Total Violations (5 yr)
3
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
2
Boil Water Advisories
1
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated High 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 02217 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Monochloramine (3.85 ppm)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 7 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir, Ware River
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 02217

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 02217 served by Mwra 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 02217 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Mwra
  • ✓ 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 02217 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 02217?+
Yes — tap water in 02217 (Boston, MA) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of A. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 02217 (Boston, MA)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 02217, 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 02217?+
Tap water in 02217 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 60 mg/L (3.5 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 02217?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 02217 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 02217 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 02217 is 5.9 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 02217?+
EPA historical records indicate 1 boil water event(s) occurred within this system. Always check with your local water provider (Mwra) for real-time emergency advisories.
Who provides tap water to 02217?+
Tap water in ZIP code 02217 is provided by Mwra (EPA ID: MA6000000), serving approximately 2,660,000 residents.
What water filter should I use in 02217?+
Based on water metrics for 02217, 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 02217 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 Mwra. 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 →