Information about contaminants in drinking water, written for a general audience.
- This page, Drinking Water Contaminants Information for the Public, is offered by
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Drinking Water Contaminants Information for the Public
Table of Contents
1,4-Dioxane
Arsenic
Bromate
Chloramines
Coliform Bacteria and E. coli
MassDEP DWP Factsheet - Drinking Water Contaminated with Bacteria, Open PDF file, 258.03 KB
(English, PDF 258.03 KB)
Copper
Copper in Drinking Water FAQ, Open PDF file, 67.01 KB
(English, PDF 67.01 KB)
Cryptosporidium and Giardia
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria - Harmful Algal Blooms & Water
This MassDEP guide to cyanobacteria includes general information about: what they are, the potential health risks, and where to get more information. It also includes fact sheets and resources for Public Water Suppliers.
Fluoride
2021 List of Massachusetts Cities/Towns by Community Water Fluoridation Status , Open PDF file, 240.92 KB
(English, PDF 240.92 KB)
Massachusetts Fluoridation Update 2014, Open PDF file, 1.61 MB
(English, PDF 1.61 MB)
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Lead
Manganese
Manganese in Drinking Water: Typical Questions and Answers for Consumers, Open PDF file, 973.67 KB
(English, PDF 973.67 KB)
GIS Interactive Map: Manganese in Public Drinking Water Sources in Massachusetts
This interactive GIS map displays the most recent manganese finished water results from active sources from public water systems throughout Massachusetts
Mercury
Perchlorate
PFAS (Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances including PFOS and PFOA)
MassDEP: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
What are PFAS, why are they a concern, and what MassDEP is doing about them.
Development of a PFAS Drinking Water Standard (MCL)
Background materials for Conservation Law Foundation/Toxics Action Center petition to regulate PFAS, and MassDEP's response to the petition.
Commonwealth program to remove fire fighting foams containing PFAS
MassDEP in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (MassDFS) has a take-back program to assist fire departments in the proper disposal of legacy firefighting foams that could impact water resources.
US EPA: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Basic information about PFAS and what actions EPA is taking
Radionuclides
Secondary Contaminants
Sodium
Sodium in Public Drinking Water, Open DOC file, 50 KB
(English, DOC 50 KB)
DPH Fact Sheet: Sodium in Drinking Water, Open PDF file, 215.56 KB
(English, PDF 215.56 KB)
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)
Unregulated Contaminants
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 4 Data (Massachusetts Only), Open XLSX file, 2.22 MB
(English, XLSX 2.22 MB)
Updated January, 28 2022.
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 Data (Massachusetts Only), Open XLSX file, 1.37 MB
(English, XLSX 1.37 MB)
Contact
Online
MassDEP Drinking Water Program
program.director-dwp@mass.gov
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