PlainWater
States → Massachusetts

Community Water System · PWS MA2134000

Holden Water Division, Dpw

Holden, Massachusetts 01520 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 17,951 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

17,951
People served
123
EPA violations
32
Health-based
5 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 123 drinking-water violations at Holden Water Division, Dpw, 26% of them health-based - above the Massachusetts per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds.

123
Total EPA violations on record
26%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
17,951
People served by this system
5
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Holden Water Division, Dpw

Holden Water Division, Dpw is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 17,951 residents in Holden, Massachusetts (Worcester County) through 6,504 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 123 total violations for this system , of which 32 (26%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 69 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2015.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 26 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 5 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 16.2 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Massachusetts, EPA tracks 1,599 public water systems serving 10,332,845 people, with 73,886 cumulative violations and 7,389 health-based violations on record. About 95% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 46.2 violations. Statewide, 148 of 263 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (56.3%).

Holden Water Division, Dpw's 123 violations sit above the Massachusetts average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

5 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
17,951
Total Violations
123
Health-Based Violations
32
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
6,504
County
Worcester
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
26
Monitoring Violations
69
Treatment Tech Violations
6

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 26 2014
Lead and Copper Rule TT 4 1993
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 3 2000
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 3 2000
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 3 2000
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 3 2000
Vinyl chloride MR 3 2000
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 3 2000
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 3 2000
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 3 2000
Trichloroethylene MR 3 2000
Tetrachloroethylene MR 3 2000
Styrene MR 3 2000
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 3 2000
Carbon tetrachloride MR 3 2000
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 3 2000
CHLOROBENZENE MR 3 2000
Toluene MR 3 2000
Ethylbenzene MR 3 2000
Benzene MR 3 2000
Xylenes, Total MR 3 2000
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 3 2000
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 3 2000
Coliform (TCR) MR 2 2004
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 2 2015
Nitrate MR 2 1993
Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 2 1991
Nitrite MR 1 1993
Asbestos MR 1 1996

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 14 of 290 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFOA 9/12/2023 4.10 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFTA 9/12/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/12/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/12/2023 3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFHpA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/12/2023 3.20 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFUnA 9/12/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/12/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/12/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 9/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/12/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 9/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/12/2023 5.50 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFNA 9/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/12/2023 4.90 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFOS 9/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/12/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/12/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 9/12/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/12/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/12/2023 6.70 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/12/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Holden Water Division, Dpw.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID MA2134000 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Massachusetts Drinking Water Authority

MassDEP, Drinking Water Program is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Holden Water Division, Dpw under EPA-delegated authority.

Open MA regulator portal

Source: MassDEP, Drinking Water Program

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2015 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 2 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 7000
2014 Coliform (TCR) MCL 26 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 3100
2004 Coliform (TCR) MR 2 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 3100
2000 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2378
2000 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2380
2000 DICHLOROMETHANE MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2964
2000 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2969
2000 Vinyl chloride MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2976
2000 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2977
2000 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2980
2000 1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2981
2000 Trichloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2984
2000 Tetrachloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2987
2000 Styrene MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2996
2000 trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / MA2134000 / 2979

How Holden Water Division, Dpw Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Holden Water Division, Dpw Massachusetts avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 123 46.2 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 32 4.6 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 5 compounds 56.3% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 17,951 6,462 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 1,599 regulated public water systems in Massachusetts.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Holden Water Division, Dpw water safe to drink? ▼
Holden Water Division, Dpw (PWS ID: MA2134000) has 123 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 17,951 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Holden Water Division, Dpw serve? ▼
Holden Water Division, Dpw serves 17,951 people in Holden, Massachusetts. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 6,504 service connections.
What type of violations does Holden Water Division, Dpw have? ▼
Holden Water Division, Dpw has 123 total violations: 32 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 69 monitoring/reporting violations, and 6 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Holden Water Division, Dpw water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in Holden Water Division, Dpw's water supply: PFOA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Holden Water Division, Dpw use? ▼
Holden Water Division, Dpw uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.