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Is Cambridge Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 24, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Cambridge?

Yes, Cambridge's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Cambridge has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Cambridge's local Twitter account.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Cambridge's water utility, Cambridge Water Department, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Cambridge Water Department water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Cambridge Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Cambridge tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Cambridge's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Cambridge Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Cambridge Water Department for Cambridge in Massachusetts. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019, Cambridge had 30 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Regular which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Synthetic Organic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Heptachlor, Pentachlorophenol, Toxaphene, 2,4,5-TP, BHC-GAMMA, Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE, Dalapon, Dinoseb, Endothall, Glyphosate, HEXACHLOROBENZENE, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, OXAMYL, Picloram, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, Carbofuran, Chlordane, 2,4-D, Endrin, ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Heptachlor epoxide, Diquat, Atrazine, LASSO, Simazine, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Benzo(a)pyrene, Methoxychlor.

For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2017, Cambridge had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Is there Lead in Cambridge Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Cambridge water system, Cambridge Water Department, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.004 mg/L of lead in Cambridge water. This is 26.7% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Cambridge contained more lead.

While Cambridge water testing may have found 0.004 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Cambridge Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Hanscom Air Force Base - near Cambridge with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Cambridge has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Cambridge SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Heptachlor (2065) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Pentachlorophenol (2326) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Toxaphene (2020) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) 2,4,5-TP (2110) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) BHC-GAMMA (2010) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) (2383) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE (2931) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Dalapon (2031) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Dinoseb (2041) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Endothall (2033) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Glyphosate (2034) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) HEXACHLOROBENZENE (2274) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (2042) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) OXAMYL (2036) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Picloram (2040) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) 2,3,7,8-TCDD (2063) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Carbofuran (2046) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Chlordane (2959) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) 2,4-D (2105) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Endrin (2005) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE (2946) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (2039) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Heptachlor epoxide (2067) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Diquat (2032) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Atrazine (2050) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) LASSO (2051) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Simazine (2037) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (2035) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Benzo(a)pyrene (2306) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Methoxychlor (2015) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
07/01/2017 - Resolved No Other Violation (Other) Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report (71) Consumer Confidence Rule (420) Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) Other (400) Consumer Confidence Rule (420)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Cambridge Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW IS YOUR WATER PURIFIED?
The source waters of the Cambridge reservoir system undergo extensive treatment at the Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility (WPF) at Fresh Pond Reservation before drinking water is delivered to your home or business. The water is treated to exceed all state and federal drinking water standards.
HOW DO I CONTACT CAMBRIDGE CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Cambridge water provider, Cambridge Water Department, please use the information below.
By Mail: 250 FRESH POND PKWY
CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Cambridge Water Department account to pay their Cambridge water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Cambridge Water Department bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Cambridge water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Cambridge water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP CAMBRIDGE WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Cambridge means you will often need to put the water in your name with Cambridge Water Department. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Cambridge means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Cambridge Water Department. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.28 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Cambridge tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 23% Low
  • Water Pollution 32% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 77% High
  • Water Quality 68% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Cambridge, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Cambridge Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Cambridge's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

For 24-Hour Emergency Customer Service Call 617-349-4770

To Our Customers,

Through the extraordinary events of the past year, we endeavor to be a constant for our customers. Just as it is critical to you for the electric utility company to “keep the lights on”, the Cambridge Water Department is here to keep the water flowing. Through challenges like pandemics and emerging contaminants of concern such as PFAS, we are always here

to ensure the highest quality water reaches your tap.

This report provides information on your drinking water supplied by the Cambridge Water Department, how it is treated, the quality of the water you receive, and how Cambridge water

meets and exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. It also contains key information on how you can learn more about our system – from source water to the service to your home.

I encourage you to contact the Water Department with questions, comments, or suggestions about any aspect of the City of Cambridge’s drinking water.

Sincerely,

Sam Corda, Managing Director Cambridge Water Department 617-349-4770

 

 

Hobbs Brook Upper Reservoir

 

 

 

 

Where Your Water Comes From

(3049000-04S)

 

Lexington

 

Lincoln

 

 

Arlington

Fresh Pond Reservoir

Reservoirs

 

95

 

 

 

(3049000-02S)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hobbs Brook Lower Reservoir

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belmont

 

The Cambridge Water System extends across

 

(3049000-01S)

Waltham

 

four towns and includes four bodies of water.

 

 

Stony Brook Conduit

 

The Hobbs Brook Upper Reservoir flows into

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the Hobbs Brook Lower Reservoir and connects

 

 

 

 

Watertown

 

with the Stony Brook Reservoir. The water then

 

Stony Brook Reservoir

 

 

Cambridge

 

 

 

 

flows to Fresh Pond Reservoir through an

 

(3049000-03S)

 

Newton

 

underground aqueduct. The Stony Brook

 

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

90

 

Reservoir watershed extends from Weston,

 

 

 

 

 

Weston

 

 

 

north into the Town of Lincoln. The watershed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for the Hobbs Brook Reservoirs includes areas

The Cambridge Water Department has

 

Outlined in a MassDEP-approved Surface Water

of Waltham, Lexington, and Lincoln. The

 

watershed for Fresh Pond Reservoir is

taken the following actions to minimize

 

Supply Protection Plan (2011), the Watershed

completely within the City of Cambridge.

contamination threats to our water supply:

 

Division of the Cambridge Water Department

The combined capacity of the Hobbs Brook

6 Work cooperatively with watershed towns

updated its comprehensive Source Water

and Stony Brook reservoir system is 3.1 billion

Protection Program. Check out: cambridgema.

on emergency response and stormwater

 

gallons; an additional 1.3 billion gallons of

 

gov/Water/watershedmanagementdivision/

management

 

water is stored in Fresh Pond Reservoir. Our

 

sourcewaterprotectionprogram.

6 Placed spill kits at strategic points within

 

water supply is backed up by interconnections

 

To ensure a supply of high quality water, the

to the Massachusetts Water Resources

the watershed

 

 

major components of the program include:

Authority (MWRA) system. For a more detailed

 

 

 

6 Actively monitor source water quality

 

1. Extensive monitoring – sampling and analysis

map of our water sources and their protection

 

throughout the watersheds, using the

 

 

of water chemistry and microbiology

areas please visit cambridgema.gov/water.

 

 

data to target source protection

 

2. Hazardous materials emergency response

Watershed Protection

 

6 Work cooperatively with businesses in the

 

planning – to reduce the potential for

 

 

contamination in the watershed

As part of our ongoing commitment to

watersheds to encourage source protection

 

3. Partnership development – relationship-

protecting the water supply, we participated

 

 

 

6 Adopted the Fresh Pond Master Plan, which

 

building with other parties in the watershed

with the Massachusetts Department of

 

includes long-term protection measures for

 

with common goals

 

Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in

 

 

Fresh Pond Reservation

 

4. Proactive site review and monitoring

preparing a Source Water Assessment Program

 

 

 

 

 

to minimize potential impacts on the

(SWAP) Report completed in 2003. The SWAP

6 Implemented storm drainage modifications

 

 

watershed from construction

Report assesses the susceptibility of our public

to divert street runoff away from Fresh Pond

 

5. Stormwater management – ensuring that

water supply and notes the key land use and

Reservoir

 

 

 

Best Management Practices are implemented

protection issues, including: Zone A Land Uses,

 

 

 

 

6 Dedicated staff resources to inspections,

 

6. Community outreach – public relations and

Residential Land Uses, Transportation Corridors,

 

Hazardous Material Storage and Use, and

public education, and coordination of source

 

education

 

protection efforts

 

 

 

 

Presence of Oil or Hazardous Materials

 

For questions about our source water

 

 

 

Contamination Sites.

 

 

 

and our protection efforts, please contact

A copy of the Cambridge SWAP Report

Seasonal Drought Risk

 

Watershed Manager David Kaplan at

 

dkaplan@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4799.

can be found on the MassDEP website at

 

 

 

 

 

mass.gov/doc/cambridge-water-department-

We typically associate climate change with warming temperatures, an increase in very heavy

swap-report/download or at the Cambridge

rainfall and flooding, and sea level rise. But there’s another aspect of climate change that more

Water Department.

directly impacts our drinking water supply – seasonal drought risk. According to the National

Because of the developed nature and types

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), seasonal drought risk in summer and fall is

of land uses within the Cambridge watershed,

projected to increase over the next century due to warming temperatures and earlier snowmelt.

our source waters are considered as having

When full, Cambridge’s reservoirs store less than a year’s supply

“high” susceptibility to contamination.

of water, so it is important that we all use our water wisely!

Susceptibility is a measure of a water supply’s

 

potential to become contaminated due to

Let’s focus on native and drought resistant plants. Once established, plants

land uses and activities within its recharge

native to our area and climate require little water beyond normal rainfall.

(watershed) area. If a source is susceptible to

6 At Native Plant Trust Plant Finder quickly search for the native plants and

contamination, it does not necessarily mean

shrubs that grow best where you live. plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/Plant-Search

the source has poor water quality.

 

  • For native plant gardening tips and inspiration visit Grow Native Massachusetts grownativemass.org

No garden or yard area to plant? Check out these ideas for saving water indoors!

Indoor Water Conservation Guide mass.gov/guides/indoor-water-conservation#-fix-those-leaks!-

How Is Your Water Purified?

The source waters of the Cambridge reservoir system undergo extensive treatment at the Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility (WPF) at Fresh Pond Reservation before drinking water is delivered to your home or business. The water is treated to exceed

all state and federal drinking water standards.

  1. Pretreatment: The first steps in the treatment process combine preoxidation with ozone, coagulation, and dissolved air flotation (DAF) to remove manganese, natural color, sediment and particles, algae, protozoa, viruses, and bacteria.
  2. Ozone: Fine bubbles of ozone are dissolved into the water to kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
  3. Filtration: The water passes through granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove organic compounds. Filtration also acts as a “polishing step” to remove additional particles, color, and protozoa.
  4. Disinfection: Chlorine is used to provide the second
    step of disinfection for redundancy in the overall process, and monochloramine is added to maintain a disinfectant residual throughout the distribution system.
  5. Post Treatment: The pH of the water is adjusted for corrosion control and fluoride is added for dental health.

To ensure the highest quality water, the Cambridge Water Department’s state-certified laboratory continuously monitors the effectiveness of the treatment process and makes adjustments as needed.

Want to Learn More? “Visit” our beautiful treatment facility online at

cambridgema.gov/water.

Cambridge Water Department looks forward to resuming tours in 2021!

Energy Conservation Measures Add Up

ELECTRICITY REDUCTION 876

MWh

Provides power to 76 homes for 365 days!

The Cambridge Water Department takes energy consumption and energy efficiency very seriously. We completed a comprehensive Energy Audit in 2011 and began implementing the recommendations right away. In a little less than 10 years, we have decreased our total electrical power consumption by 18 percent. Our most recent project – upgrading our pumping equipment – was completed in 2020 and resulted in a reduction of 200 kilowatt- hours for EVERY million gallons of water produced at the WPF. In a year, we produce about 4,380 million gallons of water, which translates to a reduction of 876 megawatt-hours in electrical power use!

WOW!

Our Partnershipwith the MWRA

 

 

GE WA

 

 

 

 

D

 

T

 

R

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I

 

 

E

 

 

 

 

 

B

 

 

 

 

R

 

 

 

 

 

M

 

 

 

 

 

T

T

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

 

 

N

C

 

 

E

 

 

D

 

 

 

 

 

E

 

M

 

 

 

T

 

 

 

 

 

P AR

 

 

 

Cambridge is a full member of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), which provides a redundant source of drinking water for our community. The MWRA (PWS #6000000) supplies wholesale water to local water departments in 53 cities and towns in greater Boston and MetroWest, and three in Western Massachusetts. MWRA water comes from the Quabbin Reservoir, about 65 miles west of Boston, and the Wachusett Reservoir, about 35 miles west of Boston. The Water Department purchased 16.1 million gallons (MG) from the MWRA from August 13-14, 2020 and 3.3 MG on September 9, 2020 allowing us to conduct an emergency response drill and replace a 24-inch valve. For the full MWRA Water Quality Report that includes test results for 2020 and other important information about your tap water, follow this link: mwra.com/water/html/awqr.htm

Water Quality Spotlight: PFAS

The Cambridge Water Department understands the emerging concerns about contaminants known as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). In August 2019, we began proactively monitoring the drinking water at Fresh Pond. In October 2020, the MassDEP enacted a standard of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) for the sum of the following six PFAS (PFAS6) compounds: PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid), PFHxS (perfluorohexanesulfonic acid), PFHpA (perfluoroheptanoic acid) and PFDA (perfluorodecanoic acid). A “part per trillion” is analogous to a grain of sand in an Olympic size swimming pool. Cambridge

has not exceeded the new standard since these regulations became effective; however, to provide the safest water for our customers, we are planning to upgrade the Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filter media that we use in our treatment plant to remove PFAS. We began testing alternative types of GAC media in August 2020, which should be complete in June 2021. The testing results show that replacing the GAC filter media is expected to reduce PFAS by 50% or more.

The results of our GAC testing will be submitted to MassDEP for approval. Once approved, we will solicit bids to select a vendor to replace the GAC media in our filters.

Important Information from EPA & MassDEP about Sources of Drinking Water and Drinking Water Contaminants

Sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

  • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife
  • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming
  • Pesticides and herbicides may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
  • Organic chemical contaminants include synthetic and volatile organic chemicals that are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems
  • Radioactive contaminants can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities

care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Cambridge Water Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, MassDEP and EPA prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contamination. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.

More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health

tested for free. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Protect Your Drinking Water at Home!

A “cross connection” is a connection between a drinking water pipe

and a polluted source. The pollution can come from your own home. For instance, you’re going to spray fertilizer on your lawn. You hook up your hose to

the sprayer that contains the fertilizer. If the water pressure drops (say, because of fire hydrant use in the City) when the hose is connected to the fertilizer, the fertilizer may be sucked back into the drinking water pipes through the hose. Over half of cross-connection incidents involve unprotected garden hoses.

For additional information on cross connections and on the status of Cambridge’s cross connection program, please contact by phone, email or website:

John Blouin | Cambridge Water Department Cross Connection Supervisor | 617-349-4025 jblouin@cambridgema.gov, cambridgema.gov/Water/administration/crossconnectioncontrol

Here are some simple steps that you can take to prevent cross-connection hazards:

  • Never submerge a hose in soapy water buckets, pet watering containers, pools, tubs, sinks, drains, or chemicals
  • Buy appliances and equipment that come with a built-in backflow preventer
  • Install a hose bibb vacuum breaker on every

threaded water fixture. This inexpensive device is available at most hardware stores and home improvement

centers, and the installation is as easy as attaching a garden

hose to a spigot

 

 

Compound

 

Units

 

Found

 

 

Highest Level

MRDLG)

Violation

 

How it gets in the water

 

 

 

 

 

 

(low-high)

 

MRDL)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highest

 

 

 

Allowed

Ideal Goal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level

 

Range of Detections

 

(MCL or

(MCLG or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium

 

ppm

 

0.046

 

0.046

 

 

 

2

 

2

 

NO

 

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine

 

ppm

 

2.3(1)

 

0.95 - 3.4(2)

 

 

 

4

 

4

 

NO

 

Water disinfectant

 

Compounds

 

(as monochloramine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead

 

ppb

 

4

(No homes exceeded the AL)

 

 

AL = 15

 

0

 

NO

 

Corrosion of household plumbing systems

 

 

 

Copper(3)

 

ppb

 

40

 

1 - 53

 

AL = 1,300

1,300

 

NO

 

Corrosion of household plumbing systems

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(No homes exceeded the AL)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride

 

ppm

 

0.91

 

0.05 - 0.91

 

 

 

4

 

4

 

NO

 

Added to water to promote strong teeth

 

 

(3)

 

 

 

 

 

0 - 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated

 

Nitrate as Nitrogen

 

ppm

 

0.58

 

0.23 - 0.58

 

 

 

10

 

10

 

NO

 

Naturally present in the environment

 

 

Total Haloacetic Acids

 

ppb

 

27(6)

 

3.7 - 17(2)

 

 

 

60(6)

 

0

 

NO

 

Byproduct of water disinfection

 

 

 

Nitrite as Nitrogen

 

ppb

 

45

 

0 - 40

 

 

 

1,000

1,000

 

NO

 

Runoff from fertilizer use

 

 

 

PFAS6(4) (Oct.-Dec. 2020)

 

ppt

 

16

 

12 - 16

 

 

 

20

 

N/A

 

NO

 

Man made chemicals. Full details below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes

 

ppb

 

16(6)

 

8.7 - 26(2)

 

 

 

80(6)

 

0

 

NO

 

Byproduct of water disinfection

 

 

 

Turbidity(7)

 

NTU

 

0.26

 

0.06 - 0.26

TT = 0.3 NTU

 

N/A

 

NO

 

Suspended matter from soil runoff

 

 

 

Compound

 

Units

 

Found

 

(low-high)

 

 

Highest

 

MRDLG)

 

Violation

 

How it gets in the water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(SMCL or ORSG)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highest

 

 

 

 

Guidance

 

Ideal Goal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level

 

Range of Detections

 

 

Level

 

 

(MCLG or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum

 

ppb

 

 

No range, 1 sample required

 

 

200

 

 

-

 

 

NO

 

Erosion of natural mineral deposits

 

Secondary/Guidance Compounds

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate

 

ppm

 

30

 

No range, 1 sample required

 

 

250

 

 

-

 

 

NO

 

Erosion of natural mineral deposits

 

 

 

Calcium

 

ppm

 

25

 

No range, 1 sample required

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

NO

 

Naturally occurring minerals

 

 

 

Chloride

 

ppm

 

174

 

No range, 1 sample required

 

 

250

 

 

-

 

 

NO

 

Erosion of natural mineral deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and road salting activities

 

 

 

Chloroform

 

ppb

 

5.1

 

1.0 - 9.8

 

 

70

 

 

-

 

 

NO

 

Byproduct of water disinfection

 

 

 

Manganese

 

ppm

 

5.4

 

No range, 1 sample required

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

NO

 

Naturally occurring minerals

 

 

 

Sodium

 

ppm

 

112

 

No range, 1 sample required

 

 

20(8)

 

 

-

 

 

NO

 

Road salt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Dissolved Solids

 

ppm

 

390

 

No range, 1 sample required

 

 

500

 

 

-

 

 

NO

 

Naturally occurring minerals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Contaminant

 

 

 

Units

(Range Detected, low-high)

Possible Sources

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samples collected January – September 2020, prior to October 2, 2020 formal adoption of MCL

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)

Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)

Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxA)

Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)

ppt

3.0

(1.8 -3.9)

6.9

(6.3 -7.3)

2.8

(2.6 -3.1)

2.8

(2.4 -3.2)

4.3

(3.5 -5.1)

2.4

(2.0 - 2.7)

  • Man-made chemicals. Used as surfactants to make products stain or water resistant, in fire-fighting foam, for industrial purposes, and as a pesticide. Used in fluoropolymers (such as Teflon), cosmetics, greases and lubricants, paints, adhesives, and photographic films.

Notes

  1. Highest level detected is based on running annual average of monthly samples.
  2. Highest value in range is based on individual samples, rather than averages.
  3. The Action Level (AL) and the highest level found are based on the 90th percentile of the samples.
  4. On October 2, 2020 MassDEP adopted a formal MCL for PFAS6 compounds (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA) which are regulated as the sum of six individual compounds.
  5. No other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected other than trihalomethanes.
  6. Highest level allowed (MCL) for this substance is based on the running annual average of four quarterly samples.
  7. TT= Treatment Technique: Turbidity is a measure of treatment performance and is regulated as a treatment technique. 100% of samples met the TT requirement.
  8. An 8 ounce glass of Cambridge water contains approximately 27 milligrams of sodium, well within the FDA’s “very low sodium” category.

Terms & Abbreviations

AL: Action Level – The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system must follow.

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level – The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level – The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in

drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal – The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

N/A: Not Available – An ideal goal has not been established by EPA or MassDEP for this compound.

ND: Not Detected

NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit – A measure of the turbidity (or clarity) of water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.

ORSG: Office of Research and Standards Guideline– Guidance values developed by MassDEP ORS in absence of any other federal standards or guidance.

pci/L: Picocuries per liter – A measure of radiation.

ppb: Parts per Billion or micrograms per liter – (µg/L)

ppm: Parts per Million or milligrams per liter – (mg/L)

ppt: Parts per Trillion or nanograms per liter – (ng/L)

SMCL: Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level – Concentration limit for a contaminant which may have aesthetic effects such as taste, odor, or staining.

  1. Treatment Technique – A required process intended to
    reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Turbidity is a measure of treatment performance and is regulated as a treat- ment technique. 95% of our turbidity readings each month must be below 0.3 NTU.

90th Percentile– Nine out of every 10 homes were at or below this level.

 

 

 

 

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Cambridge Water Department

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250 Fresh Pond Parkway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cambridge, MA 02138

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ECRWSS

Postal Customer

Cambridge, MA

Presorted

Standard

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Paid

Boston, MA

Permit No. 215

 

 

 

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Key!

Our website contains information from source to tap!

Visit www.cambridgema.gov/water, or check out these sources of information:

6 Learn all about the Water Department,

cambridgema.gov/

from source to treatment to distribution,

Water/administration/

through our beautiful brochure. Visit:

watertreatmentplanbrochure

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CAMBRIDGE

 

 

GE WA

 

 

 

 

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E P ART

 

 

6 Wondering if you have a lead service line?

cambridgema.gov/Water/Distribution/

We maintain a list of service line material

waterserviceinformation

on our website. Visit:

 

At the Cambridge Water Department,

we love to share how we produce

the highest quality water and

communicate with our customers.

6 The highest quality source water means the best drinking water, so we keep a close watch. Check out our source water quality monitoring program data. Visit:

  • The United States Geological Survey

(USGS) even monitors our water quality in real time. Visit:

Cover photograph courtesy of Robert Costello ©2021.

This report contains very important information about your drinking water. Please translate it, or speak with someone who understands it.

Este informe contiene información muy importante acerca de su agua potable. Pídale a alguien que traduzca esta información a usted o hablar con alguien que entiende esta información.

本报告含有关于您所在社区的水质的重要信息。

请您找人翻译一下或请能看懂这份报告的朋友给您解释一下。

Ce rapport contient des renseignements très importants sur votre eau potable. Demander à quelqu’un pour traduire cette information à vous ou à parler avec quelqu’un qui comprend cette information.

If you have any additional questions about your water supply, please contact Ed Dowling, Director of Water Operations at 617-349-4773

Printed on recycled paper

Contaminants


Cambridge Water Department (MWRA)

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 105162
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 17

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Nitrate
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Barium
  • Bromide
  • Bromoform
  • Chlorate
  • Chromium (total)
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Manganese
  • Nitrite
  • Strontium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

'

It has come to my attention that there are a number of issues with the quality of tap water that is consumed by my family in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Recently, my son was diagnosed with leukemia. This is a disease that takes many forms and can be a difficult one for a child to handle. I was also recently alerted to some of the problems with tap water in my hometown that has led to my own concerns about the safety of my family''s drinking water. These particular problems have prompted me to become active in helping to better improve the quality of tap water throughout the greater Boston area.

There is currently no legal restriction on the type or amount of fluoride that may be added to your water. This can be hazardous to your health, and the current level of fluoride in many areas is not safe enough to drink. Fluoride can cause a wide range of symptoms, including brain damage in children. It can also cause developmental problems and learning disabilities in unbor

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