Cambridge Water Department Water System

MyTapWater.org's tap water quality report is the compilation of data collected from federal, state, and local government agencies, most prominently the EPA. We strive to populate the report with the latest data concerning water contaminants, lead and copper levels, and water quality violations. We only collect drinking water data from public water systems.

PWS Service Information
PWS ID: MA3049000
Type: Community water system
EPA Region: 01
Primary Service Area: Residential Area
Primary Source: Surface water
Population Served: 105,162 		Contact Information
CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT
TIMOTHY W D MACDONALD
250 FRESH POND PKWY
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138
[email protected]

This public water system services 1 municipality in 1 county.

Summary Results

A summary view of tests in which a water contaminant found to exceed the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) set by the EPA.

Maximum Contaminant Levels Exceeded (by year):

2013   (0) 2014   (1) 2015   (1) 2016   (0) 2017   (0) 2018   (2)
chlorate chlorate anatoxin-a
cylindrospermopsin

Contaminant Detailed Results

This a view of violations of maximum contaminant levels. Use the expanded view see result data for a drinking water contaminant, the minimum level that can be recognized in a test (MRL), and upper limit that is considered healthy (HRL).

anatoxin-a

Year Test Date MRLMinimum Reporting Level HRLHealth Risk Limit Test Result
2018 2018-06-25 0.03 0.00 < 0.03
2018 2018-06-11 0.03 0.00 < 0.03

cylindrospermopsin

Year Test Date MRLMinimum Reporting Level HRLHealth Risk Limit Test Result
2018 2018-06-25 0.09 0.00 < 0.09
2018 2018-06-11 0.09 0.00 < 0.09

chlorate

Year Test Date MRLMinimum Reporting Level HRLHealth Risk Limit Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 20 210 210
2015 2015-04-06 20 210 220
2015 2015-01-12 20 210 170
2015 2015-01-12 20 210 180
2014 2014-10-07 20 210 300
2014 2014-10-07 20 210 300
2014 2014-07-21 20 210 230
2014 2014-07-21 20 210 240

Water Test And Filter Picks

Tip: Test your water at least once a year.


TapScore Water Test
A professional water test with including shipping to the lab.
Buy It Now

Aquasana 3-Stage Filter
Under-The-Sink System
Buy It Now

Faucet-Mounted Filter
A simple filter system for under $30
Buy It Now

Other Water Contaminants Tested

The following contaminants were tested and found to be within national EPA guidelines.

Contaminant MRLMinimum Reporting Level HRLHealth Risk Limit Avg Result
chromium 0.2 100 0.1575 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.2 100 0.21
2015 2015-04-06 0.2 100 0.23
2015 2015-01-12 0.2 100 < 0.2
2015 2015-01-12 0.2 100 0.21
2014 2014-11-06 0.2 100 0.27
2014 2014-11-06 0.2 100 0.34
2014 2014-07-21 0.2 100 < 0.2
2014 2014-07-21 0.2 100 < 0.2
[+] Expand Test Data
chromium-6 0.03 0 0.0563 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.03 0 0.049
2015 2015-04-06 0.03 0 0.043
2015 2015-01-12 0.03 0 0.051
2015 2015-01-12 0.03 0 0.051
2014 2014-10-07 0.03 0 0.056
2014 2014-10-07 0.03 0 0.058
2014 2014-07-21 0.03 0 0.068
2014 2014-07-21 0.03 0 0.074
[+] Expand Test Data
cobalt 1 70 < 1 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 1 70 < 1
2015 2015-04-06 1 70 < 1
2015 2015-01-12 1 70 < 1
2015 2015-01-12 1 70 < 1
2014 2014-11-06 1 70 < 1
2014 2014-11-06 1 70 < 1
2014 2014-07-21 1 70 < 1
2014 2014-07-21 1 70 < 1
[+] Expand Test Data
molybdenum 1 40 < 1 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 1 40 < 1
2015 2015-04-06 1 40 < 1
2015 2015-01-12 1 40 < 1
2015 2015-01-12 1 40 < 1
2014 2014-11-06 1 40 < 1
2014 2014-11-06 1 40 < 1
2014 2014-07-21 1 40 < 1
2014 2014-07-21 1 40 < 1
[+] Expand Test Data
strontium 0.3 1500 146.25 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.3 1500 140
2015 2015-04-06 0.3 1500 140
2015 2015-01-12 0.3 1500 130
2015 2015-01-12 0.3 1500 130
2014 2014-11-06 0.3 1500 170
2014 2014-11-06 0.3 1500 180
2014 2014-07-21 0.3 1500 140
2014 2014-07-21 0.3 1500 140
[+] Expand Test Data
vanadium 0.2 21 < 0.2 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.2 21 < 0.2
2015 2015-04-06 0.2 21 < 0.2
2015 2015-01-12 0.2 21 < 0.2
2015 2015-01-12 0.2 21 < 0.2
2014 2014-11-06 0.2 21 < 0.2
2014 2014-11-06 0.2 21 < 0.2
2014 2014-07-21 0.2 21 < 0.2
2014 2014-07-21 0.2 21 < 0.2
[+] Expand Test Data
1,1-dichloroethane 0.03 6.14 < 0.03 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.03 6.14 < 0.03
2015 2015-01-12 0.03 6.14 < 0.03
2014 2014-10-07 0.03 6.14 < 0.03
2014 2014-07-21 0.03 6.14 < 0.03
[+] Expand Test Data
1,2,3-trichloropropane 0.03 0.0004 < 0.03 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.03 0.0004 < 0.03
2015 2015-01-12 0.03 0.0004 < 0.03
2014 2014-10-07 0.03 0.0004 < 0.03
2014 2014-07-21 0.03 0.0004 < 0.03
[+] Expand Test Data
1,3-butadiene 0.1 0.0103 < 0.1 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.1 0.0103 < 0.1
2015 2015-01-12 0.1 0.0103 < 0.1
2014 2014-10-07 0.1 0.0103 < 0.1
2014 2014-07-21 0.1 0.0103 < 0.1
[+] Expand Test Data
1,4-dioxane 0.07 0.35 < 0.07 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.07 0.35 < 0.07
2015 2015-01-12 0.07 0.35 < 0.07
2014 2014-10-07 0.07 0.35 < 0.07
2014 2014-07-21 0.07 0.35 < 0.07
[+] Expand Test Data
17-alpha-ethynylestradiol 0.0009 0.035 < 0.0009 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.0009 0.035 < 0.0009
2015 2015-01-12 0.0009 0.035 < 0.0009
2014 2014-10-07 0.0009 0.035 < 0.0009
2014 2014-07-21 0.0009 0.035 < 0.0009
[+] Expand Test Data
17-beta-estradiol 0.0004 0.0009 < 0.0004 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.0004 0.0009 < 0.0004
2015 2015-01-12 0.0004 0.0009 < 0.0004
2014 2014-10-07 0.0004 0.0009 < 0.0004
2014 2014-07-21 0.0004 0.0009 < 0.0004
[+] Expand Test Data
4-androstene-3,17-dione 0.0003 0 < 0.0003 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.0003 0 < 0.0003
2015 2015-01-12 0.0003 0 < 0.0003
2014 2014-10-07 0.0003 0 < 0.0003
2014 2014-07-21 0.0003 0 < 0.0003
[+] Expand Test Data
bromomethane 0.2 140 < 0.2 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.2 140 < 0.2
2015 2015-01-12 0.2 140 < 0.2
2014 2014-10-07 0.2 140 < 0.2
2014 2014-07-21 0.2 140 < 0.2
[+] Expand Test Data
chloromethane 0.2 2.69 < 0.2 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.2 2.69 < 0.2
2015 2015-01-12 0.2 2.69 < 0.2
2014 2014-10-07 0.2 2.69 < 0.2
2014 2014-07-21 0.2 2.69 < 0.2
[+] Expand Test Data
equilin 0.004 0.35 < 0.004 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.004 0.35 < 0.004
2015 2015-01-12 0.004 0.35 < 0.004
2014 2014-10-07 0.004 0.35 < 0.004
2014 2014-07-21 0.004 0.35 < 0.004
[+] Expand Test Data
estriol 0.0008 0.35 < 0.0008 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.0008 0.35 < 0.0008
2015 2015-01-12 0.0008 0.35 < 0.0008
2014 2014-10-07 0.0008 0.35 < 0.0008
2014 2014-07-21 0.0008 0.35 < 0.0008
[+] Expand Test Data
estrone 0.002 0.35 < 0.002 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.002 0.35 < 0.002
2015 2015-01-12 0.002 0.35 < 0.002
2014 2014-10-07 0.002 0.35 < 0.002
2014 2014-07-21 0.002 0.35 < 0.002
[+] Expand Test Data
Halon 1011 0.06 90 < 0.06 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.06 90 < 0.06
2015 2015-01-12 0.06 90 < 0.06
2014 2014-10-07 0.06 90 < 0.06
2014 2014-07-21 0.06 90 < 0.06
[+] Expand Test Data
HCFC-22 0.08 0 < 0.08 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.08 0 < 0.08
2015 2015-01-12 0.08 0 < 0.08
2014 2014-10-07 0.08 0 < 0.08
2014 2014-07-21 0.08 0 < 0.08
[+] Expand Test Data
PFBS 0.09 0 < 0.09 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.09 0 < 0.09
2015 2015-01-12 0.09 0 < 0.09
2014 2014-10-07 0.09 0 < 0.09
2014 2014-07-21 0.09 0 < 0.09
[+] Expand Test Data
PFHpA 0.01 0 < 0.01 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.01 0 < 0.01
2015 2015-01-12 0.01 0 < 0.01
2014 2014-10-07 0.01 0 < 0.01
2014 2014-07-21 0.01 0 < 0.01
[+] Expand Test Data
PFHxS 0.03 0 < 0.03 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.03 0 < 0.03
2015 2015-01-12 0.03 0 < 0.03
2014 2014-10-07 0.03 0 < 0.03
2014 2014-07-21 0.03 0 < 0.03
[+] Expand Test Data
PFNA 0.02 0 < 0.02 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.02 0 < 0.02
2015 2015-01-12 0.02 0 < 0.02
2014 2014-10-07 0.02 0 < 0.02
2014 2014-07-21 0.02 0 < 0.02
[+] Expand Test Data
PFOA 0.02 0.07 < 0.02 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.02 0.07 < 0.02
2015 2015-01-12 0.02 0.07 < 0.02
2014 2014-10-07 0.02 0.07 < 0.02
2014 2014-07-21 0.02 0.07 < 0.02
[+] Expand Test Data
PFOS 0.04 0.07 < 0.04 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.04 0.07 < 0.04
2015 2015-01-12 0.04 0.07 < 0.04
2014 2014-10-07 0.04 0.07 < 0.04
2014 2014-07-21 0.04 0.07 < 0.04
[+] Expand Test Data
testosterone 0.0001 0 < 0.0001 [+] Expand Test Data
Year Test Date MRL HRL Test Result
2015 2015-04-06 0.0001 0 < 0.0001
2015 2015-01-12 0.0001 0 < 0.0001
2014 2014-10-07 0.0001 0 < 0.0001
2014 2014-07-21 0.0001 0 < 0.0001
[+] Expand Test Data

Lead and Copper Data

Lead and copper are recorded separately from other contaminants because of the Lead and Copper Rule. As with all other results, these are the findings at the water supply level. Lead and copper can be — and often are — deposited in drinking water in between the water facility and your tap.

Sample ID Contaminant Sampling Start Date Sampling End Date Result
5164 lead 2015-01-01 2017-12-31 0.007mg/L
4340 lead 2012-06-01 2014-12-31 0.005mg/L
3676 lead 2011-01-01 2011-12-31 0.005mg/L
3098 lead 2008-01-01 2008-12-31 0.009mg/L

Violations

Known violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act as recorded by the EPA.

Compliance Dates Rule Violation Type Contaminant Name Status
- 2000-05-05 Surface Water Treatment Rule Failure to Filter (SWTR) Surface Water Treatment Rule Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Endothall Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Diquat Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Endrin Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Glyphosate Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Heptachlor Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Heptachlor epoxide Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular HEXACHLOROBENZENE Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Hexachlorocyclopentadiene Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular LASSO Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Methoxychlor Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular OXAMYL Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Pentachlorophenol Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Picloram Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Simazine Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Toxaphene Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Benzo(a)pyrene Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular 2,3,7,8-TCDD Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular 2,4-D Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular 2,4,5-TP Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Aldicarb Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Aldicarb sulfone Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Aldicarb sulfoxide Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Atrazine Known
- N/A Total Coliform Rule Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Monthly (TCR) Coliform (TCR) Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular BHC-GAMMA Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Carbofuran Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Chlordane Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Dalapon Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Known
- N/A Synthetic Organic Chemicals Monitoring, Regular Dinoseb Known

Local Water Testing

Find a lab in your area so you can get your tap or well water tested. This list contains both governmental and private labs, all of which are EPA-certified for drinking water testing.

Lab Location Zip Code
MASS DPH ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LAB JAMAICA PLAIN, MA 02130
CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT LABORATORY CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138
MWRA CENTRAL LABORATORY WINTHROP, MA 02152

Water Bill Information

Convenient information about your water service.

Unable to identify any billing information about Cambridge Water Department (MA3049000).

What My Water Data Means

Water data isn't always easy to interpret, but by following the links on this page you should be able to have most of your questions answered. By clicking the name of a water contaminant or secondary substance you can learn about that specific substance. Ultimately this page should give you some insight towards learning if your water is safe, what water filter you should buy (if any), and how well your local water compares against other sources.

Sources

The origin of MyTapWater.org's water data is explained on our Data Sources page.

Why Is My Water Data Not More Recent?

The recency of the data for your ZIP code depends on the last your water source was tested, by a federal, state, or local agency. More information about the timing can be determined by learning about the dataset in question and seeing how often the EPA (other another governing body) mandated testing.