Community Water System · PWS MA3180000
Merrimac Water Department
Merrimac, Massachusetts 01860 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 7,193 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 7,193
- People served
- 276
- EPA violations
- 14
- Health-based
- 1 PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 276 drinking-water violations at Merrimac Water Department, 5% of them health-based - above the Massachusetts per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound.
- 276
- Total EPA violations on record
- 5%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 7,193
- People served by this system
- 1
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: Merrimac Water Department
Merrimac Water Department is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 7,193 residents in Merrimac, Massachusetts (Essex County) through 1,980 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 276 total violations for this system , of which 14 (5%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 249 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2021.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 8 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 6.9 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%).
Merrimac Water Department's 276 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.
1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- Local
- Connections
- 1,980
- County
- Essex
- School/Daycare
- No
- MCL Violations
- 8
- Monitoring Violations
- 249
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 6
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coliform (TCR) | MCL | 8 | 2004 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | TT | 6 | 1997 |
| ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Pentachlorophenol | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Toxaphene | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| 2,4,5-TP | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Methoxychlor | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| BHC-GAMMA | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Diquat | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Endothall | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| HEXACHLOROBENZENE | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| OXAMYL | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Picloram | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Simazine | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Heptachlor epoxide | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Heptachlor | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MR | 5 | 2021 |
| Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Dalapon | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Atrazine | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Carbofuran | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Endrin | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Glyphosate | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| LASSO | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Chlordane | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| 2,4-D | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| Dinoseb | MR | 5 | 2019 |
| 2,3,7,8-TCDD | MR | 5 | 2019 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 2 of 116 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 7/9/2024 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 7/9/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 7/9/2024 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 7/9/2024 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 7/9/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 7/9/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 7/9/2024 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 7/9/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 7/9/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 7/9/2024 | 5.60 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFDA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 7/9/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 7/9/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 7/9/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 7/9/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 7/9/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 7/9/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 7/9/2024 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 7/9/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 7/9/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 7/9/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 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 Merrimac Water Department.
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 MA3180000 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
Massachusetts Drinking Water Authority
MassDEP, Drinking Water Program is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Merrimac Water Department under EPA-delegated authority.
Open MA regulator portalSource: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Lead and Copper Rule | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 5000 |
| 2019 | ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2946 |
| 2019 | Pentachlorophenol | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2326 |
| 2019 | Toxaphene | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2020 |
| 2019 | 2,4,5-TP | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2110 |
| 2019 | Methoxychlor | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2015 |
| 2019 | BHC-GAMMA | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2010 |
| 2019 | 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2931 |
| 2019 | Diquat | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2032 |
| 2019 | Endothall | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2033 |
| 2019 | HEXACHLOROBENZENE | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2274 |
| 2019 | OXAMYL | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2036 |
| 2019 | Picloram | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2040 |
| 2019 | Simazine | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2037 |
| 2019 | Heptachlor epoxide | MR | 5 | SDWIS / MA3180000 / 2067 |
How Merrimac Water Department Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | Merrimac Water Department | Massachusetts avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 276 | 46.2 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 14 | 4.6 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | 1 compound | 56.3% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 7,193 | 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 Merrimac Water Department water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does Merrimac Water Department serve? ▼
What type of violations does Merrimac Water Department have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in Merrimac Water Department water? ▼
What water source does Merrimac Water Department use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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.