Tap Water Results

Is Amherst Town, MA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Amherst Dept. of Public Works Water Division.

Amherst Dept. of Public Works Water Division supplies Amherst Town (39,263 people).

Water system

Amherst Dept. of Public Works Water Division

39,263 people · Surface water · EPA ID MA1008000

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 8 ppb at the 90th percentile (Sep 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Across Massachusetts, 75 of 261 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 8 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Massachusetts results.

Amherst Town homes and lead pipes

61%
of homes built before 1980 (Massachusetts 67%, US 50%)
25%
built before 1950 (Massachusetts 36%)
56%
of households rent (Massachusetts 38%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Amherst Town city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Northampton 9 mi
Northampton Water Division
Northampton Water DivisionNone above limits2.6 ppb
Holyoke 13 mi
Holyoke Water Works
Holyoke Water WorksNone above limits9 ppb
Chicopee 13 mi
Chicopee Water Dept (MWRA)
Chicopee Water Dept (MWRA)None above limits1.5 ppb
Springfield 17 mi
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission
Springfield Water and Sewer CommissionNone above limits3.5 ppb
West Springfield Town 18 mi
West Springfield Dept. of Public Works Water Division
West Springfield Dept. of Public Works Water DivisionNone above limits1.6 ppb
Westfield 20 mi
Westfield Dpwwater Division
Westfield Dpwwater DivisionNone above limits2.7 ppb
Amherst Town ZIP codes (2)
  • 01002
  • 01003

Questions

Is Amherst Town tap water safe to drink?

Amherst Dept. of Public Works Water Division had 1 health-based violation since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Amherst Town, MA?

Amherst Dept. of Public Works Water Division, which serves 39,263 people.

Does Amherst Town tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Amherst Dept. of Public Works Water Division had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Amherst Town homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 61% of Amherst Town homes as built before 1980 (Massachusetts: 67%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Amherst Dept. of Public Works Water Division's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.