Is Plymouth, MA tap water safe?

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

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Plymouth Water Department. 2 PFAS were detected below the limits.

7 public water systems serve parts of Plymouth. The largest, Plymouth Water Department, serves 47,100 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Plymouth Water Department

47,100 people · Groundwater · EPA ID MA4239000

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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: 2.5 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

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.

Plymouth homes and lead pipes

47%

of homes built before 1980 (Massachusetts 67%, US 50%)

18%

built before 1950 (Massachusetts 36%)

21%

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. How to check your own line.

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

Other water systems serving Plymouth

Aquarion Water Company, Pinehills
9,478 people · Groundwater · Massachusetts · lists this city
No PFAS above limits
Agawam Springs Water Company
2,380 people · Groundwater · Massachusetts · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Aquarion Water Company Ponds of Plymouth
2,267 people · Groundwater · Massachusetts · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Masac Plymouth Water System
210 people · Groundwater · Massachusetts · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Long Pond Realty Trust Water System
90 people · Groundwater · Massachusetts · lists this city
Lead above action levelAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Herring Cove Condominiums Trust Water System
25 people · Groundwater · Massachusetts · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Middleborough 13 mi Middleborough Water Supply	Middleborough Water Supply	Above limit	3 ppb
Marshfield 16 mi Marshfield Water Department	Marshfield Water Department	Above limit	4 ppb
Bridgewater Town 19 mi Bridgewater Water Department	Bridgewater Water Department	Above limit	3 ppb
Falmouth 21 mi Falmouth Water Dept	Falmouth Water Dept	None above limits	1.1 ppb
Barnstable Town 21 mi Centerville Osterville Marstons Mills Water District	Centerville Osterville Marstons Mills Water District	Above limit	1.82 ppb
New Bedford 23 mi City of New Bedford Dept. of Public Infrastructure	City of New Bedford Dept. of Public Infrastructure	None above limits	4.1 ppb

Plymouth ZIP codes (2)

02360
02366

Questions

Is Plymouth tap water safe to drink?

Plymouth Water Department has had no health-based violations 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 Plymouth, MA?

7 public water systems serve parts of Plymouth. The largest is Plymouth Water Department (47,100 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Plymouth tap water have PFAS?

Plymouth Water Department had 2 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Plymouth homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 47% of Plymouth 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. Plymouth Water Department'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.