Bristol County, Massachusetts: drinking water report. Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts has about 579,000 residents in communities including
Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts has about 579,000 residents in communities including Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton. Water sources vary by system – surface reservoirs, Taunton River basin, and groundwater wells. The county's textile and manufacturing history left a contamination legacy, and New Bedford Harbor is one of the most PCB-contaminated harbors in the country.
New Bedford Harbor was declared a Superfund site in 1982 due to massive PCB contamination from the Aerovox and Cornell-Dubilier electronics plants. According to EPA's 2024 remediation report, over 300,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment have been removed, but the harbor remains under remediation with ongoing dredging planned through 2030. The drinking water supply draws from surface reservoirs outside the contaminated area.
PFAS from multiple sources affects Bristol County. The former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, regional airports, and industrial facilities have all contributed PFAS to groundwater. Massachusetts DEP's 2024 PFAS compliance report documented three Bristol County water systems requiring treatment to meet the state's 20 ppt combined PFAS standard.
Bristol County's water systems generally draw from clean surface reservoirs rather than contaminated groundwater, but the density of industrial history in the county means localized contamination exists throughout. If you are on a private well near any former industrial site, testing is prudent.
Check your water for the latest results. For PFAS and industrial legacy compounds, reverse osmosis at the tap provides the broadest household protection. Our water filter guide evaluates certified systems. Pull your detailed report for historical data, and visit our Massachusetts page for statewide patterns.