Cambridge, MA Water Quality Report

Is Cambridge tap water safe? See PFAS and lead contamination levels for Cambridge, Massachusetts. Compare to EPA limits and get filter recommendations.

Quick Answers

Is Cambridge, MA tap water safe to drink? Cambridge, MA tap water meets most federal EPA limits, but PFAS compounds have been detected at an average of 0 ppt across 3 compounds. A certified pitcher filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended for sensitive populations.

What contaminants are in Cambridge, MA water? Top PFAS compounds detected in Cambridge water: PFPeA (0 ppt), PFOA (0 ppt), PFHxA (0 ppt). See the full table for all monitored contaminants and comparison to EPA limits.

What filter should I use in Cambridge, MA? For Cambridge, MA households, reverse osmosis removes 90%+ of PFAS, lead, and arsenic. NSF-53 certified pitcher and faucet filters (ZeroWater, Clearly Filtered, LifeStraw) work for smaller households. Skip standard Brita filters for PFAS removal.

Cambridge, MA Water Quality Summary

EPA testing has detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Cambridge, MA drinking water. Recent monitoring found a peak level of 0 ppt across 1 water system, representing an average of 0 ppt across 3 detected compounds.

Contamination Level: LOW – Low contamination – PFAS detected but at lower levels; monitoring continues.

Top Detected Compounds

  • PFPeA: 0 ppt
  • PFOA: 0 ppt
  • PFHxA: 0 ppt

Lead in Cambridge, MA Water

EPA Lead and Copper Rule testing has recorded 3 lead samples for Cambridge water systems, with a 90th-percentile high of 0.008 mg/L (within the EPA 0.015 mg/L action level). There is no safe level of lead for children; if your home was built before 1986, a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead-removal filter is recommended.

About the Data

Source: EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5), the 2023-2025 national testing program spanning 66,000+ public water systems – the broadest drinking water survey ever run in the US. Cambridge, MA serves a population of roughly 118,977.

ZIP Codes Served

02138, 02139, 02140, 02141, 02142

What Cambridge, Massachusetts Residents Should Do

  1. Enter your exact ZIP code at knowyourexposure.com for address-level data
  2. Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your Massachusetts utility – it is free and updated annually
  3. Choose a filter certified for PFAS: NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis (94-99% removal) or an NSF-53 pitcher
  4. High-exposure households (pregnancy, infants, immunocompromised) should also consider a PFAS home test kit