Tap Water Results

Is Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury Water Department. 5 PFAS were detected below the limits.

Shrewsbury Water Department supplies Shrewsbury (38,325 people).

Water system

Shrewsbury Water Department

38,325 people · Groundwater · EPA ID MA2271000

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
One sample above limit
2.7 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFOS
One sample above limit
2.8 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
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: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Jun 2025, 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.

Shrewsbury homes and lead pipes

51%
of homes built before 1980 (Massachusetts 67%, US 50%)
15%
built before 1950 (Massachusetts 36%)
28%
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 Shrewsbury town (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Worcester 5 mi
Worcester DPW&P Water Supply Division
Worcester DPW&P Water Supply DivisionNone above limits2 ppb
Marlborough 10 mi
Marlborough Dept. of Public Works Water Division (MWRA)
Marlborough Dept. of Public Works Water Division (MWRA)None above limits1.2 ppb
Framingham 14 mi
Framingham Water Dept. (MWRA)
Framingham Water Dept. (MWRA)None above limits1.6 ppb
Leominster 17 mi
Leominster Water Division
Leominster Water DivisionNone above limits2.8 ppb
Natick 19 mi
Natick Water and Sewer Division
Natick Water and Sewer DivisionAbove limit0 ppb
Franklin Town 21 mi
Franklin Water Department
Franklin Water DepartmentAbove limit2 ppb
Shrewsbury ZIP codes (1)
  • 01545

Questions

Is Shrewsbury tap water safe to drink?

Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury, MA?

Shrewsbury Water Department, which serves 38,325 people.

Does Shrewsbury tap water have PFAS?

Shrewsbury Water Department had 5 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Shrewsbury homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 51% of Shrewsbury 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. Shrewsbury 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.