Water Service Outages in Massachusetts by City
One system, Mwra, serves about 2,580,000 people, roughly 26% of everyone on a community water system in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts drinking water record
Busiest year: 2019 (62 violations). Counted by the year the violation period began. Source: EPA SDWIS.
- Community water systems: 527 active systems serve about 9,973,797 people. 268 of them (51%) serve 3,300 people or fewer; 346 draw mainly on groundwater and 170 on surface water.
- Health-based violations since 2015: 309, at 126 systems (24% of all systems). That share is 16th of 50 states (1 = lowest).
- Most common problems: contaminant averages over the limit (176); E. coli (27); surface water treatment (18). Source: EPA SDWIS
- Largest system: Mwra, about 2,580,000 people, with 0 health-based violations since 2015. Source: EPA SDWIS
- Housing age: the median Massachusetts home was built in 1964 (US 1980). Older housing stock means more lead service lines left to replace. Source: US Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 (table B25035)
- Storm damage to water service: NOAA storm narratives mention water mains, boil water notices or lost water service in 2 episodes in Massachusetts since 2015. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
- December 17, 2020, Eastern Plymouth (coastal flood): “In Hull at 1205 PM EST, there was minor flooding on Nantasket Avenue at the wastewater treatment plant.” Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
- January 13, 2018, Franklin (flood): “The ice first struck the Exchange Street bridge, where hangers that secure a 10-inch water main to the bridge were swept downstream.” Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
| System | People served | Main source | Health violations since 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mwra | 2,580,000 | Surface water | 0 |
| Boston Water And Sewer Commission (Mwra) | 675,647 | Bought surface water | 1 |
| Worcester Dpwp, Water Supply Division | 206,518 | Surface water | 0 |
| Springfield Water And Sewer Commission | 169,170 | Surface water | 9 |
| Lowell Regional Water Utility | 120,418 | Surface water | 1 |
| Cambridge Water Department | 118,214 | Surface water | 0 |
Source: EPA SDWIS.
Massachusetts is 3rd of 6 (1 = lowest share). Source: EPA SDWIS.
Checked September 2026.
Who to call in Massachusetts, city by city
5 Massachusetts cities on this site and the water utility for each. What to do while you wait is in our water service outage guide.
- Boston Boston Water and Sewer Commission
- Worcester Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks – Water
- Springfield Springfield Water and Sewer Commission
- Cambridge Cambridge Water Department
- Lowell Lowell Regional Water Utility
Frequently asked questions
Is there a water service outage in Massachusetts right now?
Not on this site: no reports from Massachusetts in the last 24 hours.
How many public water systems are in Massachusetts?
EPA records list 527 active community water systems in Massachusetts, serving about 9,973,797 people. 51% serve 3,300 people or fewer.
How common are drinking water violations in Massachusetts?
Since 2015, 126 of 527 community water systems in Massachusetts (24%) have had at least one health-based violation, 309 in total.
What is the largest water system in Massachusetts?
Mwra, which EPA records list as serving about 2,580,000 people.
Report counts are user-submitted; other figures name their official source. How our data works
Cities in Massachusetts with Water Service Outages Information
Boston
no reports in the last 24 hours · pop. 692,600
Boston Water and Sewer Commission
Cambridge
no reports in the last 24 hours · pop. 118,403
Cambridge Water Department
Lowell
no reports in the last 24 hours · pop. 110,997
Lowell Regional Water Utility
Springfield
no reports in the last 24 hours · pop. 155,929
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission
Worcester
no reports in the last 24 hours · pop. 206,518
Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks – Water