Tap Water Results

Is Tewksbury, 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 Tewksbury Water Department. 3 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Tewksbury. The largest, Tewksbury Water Department, serves 31,342 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Tewksbury Water Department

31,342 people · Surface water · EPA ID MA3295000

Buys treated water from Andover Water Dept, Lowell Regional Water Utility.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
One sample above limit
3.5 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
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: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2023, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 2

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.

Tewksbury homes and lead pipes

48%
of homes built before 1980 (Massachusetts 67%, US 50%)
9%
built before 1950 (Massachusetts 36%)
16%
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 Tewksbury town (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Tewksbury

  • Tewksbury Hospital Water System
    2,500 people · Groundwater · Massachusetts · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Billerica 4 mi
Billerica Water Works
Billerica Water WorksNone above limits2.4 ppb
Andover 4 mi
Andover Water Dept
Andover Water DeptNone above limits0 ppb
Lowell 5 mi
Lowell Regional Water Utility
Lowell Regional Water UtilityNone above limits0 ppb
Dracut 6 mi
Dracut Water Supply District
Dracut Water Supply DistrictAbove limit0 ppb
Lawrence 7 mi
Lawrence Water Works
Lawrence Water WorksNone above limits0 ppb
Chelmsford 7 mi
Chelmsford Water District
Chelmsford Water DistrictAbove limit2.4 ppb
Tewksbury ZIP codes (1)
  • 01876

Questions

Is Tewksbury tap water safe to drink?

Tewksbury Water Department had 2 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 Tewksbury, MA?

2 public water systems serve parts of Tewksbury. The largest is Tewksbury Water Department (31,342 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Tewksbury tap water have PFAS?

Tewksbury Water Department had 3 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Tewksbury homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 48% of Tewksbury 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. Tewksbury 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.