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Community Water System · PWS MA4218000

Norton Water Department

Norton, Massachusetts 02766 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 19,161 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

19,161
People served
23
EPA violations
12
Health-based
7 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 23 drinking-water violations at Norton Water Department, 52% of them health-based - below the Massachusetts per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds.

23
Total EPA violations on record
52%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
19,161
People served by this system
7
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Norton Water Department

Norton Water Department is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 19,161 residents in Norton, Massachusetts (Bristol County) through 5,842 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 23 total violations for this system , of which 12 (52%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 2 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2023.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 11 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 7 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 8.8 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%).

Norton Water Department's 23 violations sit below 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

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

Population Served
19,161
Total Violations
23
Health-Based Violations
12
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
5,842
County
Bristol
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
12
Monitoring Violations
2
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 11 2013
TTHM MCL 1 2021
Lead and Copper Rule MR 1 2023
Coliform (TCR) MR 1 1993
Coliform (TCR) Other 1 1999

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 14 of 174 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/15/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/15/2023 4.20 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFNA 8/15/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/15/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/15/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/15/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/15/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 8/15/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/15/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/15/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/15/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 8/15/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/15/2023 4.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFUnA 8/15/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/15/2023 8.50 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
ADONA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/15/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/15/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/15/2023 4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFNA 8/15/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/15/2023 4.30 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFHpA 8/15/2023 3.30 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/15/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/15/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/15/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/15/2023 4.90 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMBA 8/15/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/15/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 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 Norton Water Department.

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 MA4218000 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 Norton Water Department 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
2023 Lead and Copper Rule MR 1 SDWIS / MA4218000 / 5000
2021 TTHM MCL 1 SDWIS / MA4218000 / 2950
2013 Coliform (TCR) MCL 11 SDWIS / MA4218000 / 3100
1999 Coliform (TCR) Other 1 SDWIS / MA4218000 / 3100
1993 Coliform (TCR) MR 1 SDWIS / MA4218000 / 3100

How Norton Water Department Compares

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

Metric Norton Water Department Massachusetts avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 23 46.2 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 12 4.6 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 7 compounds 56.3% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 19,161 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 Norton Water Department water safe to drink? ▼
Norton Water Department (PWS ID: MA4218000) has 23 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 7 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 19,161 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Norton Water Department serve? ▼
Norton Water Department serves 19,161 people in Norton, Massachusetts. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 5,842 service connections.
What type of violations does Norton Water Department have? ▼
Norton Water Department has 23 total violations: 12 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 2 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Norton Water Department water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds in Norton Water Department's water supply: PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHpA, and others. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Norton Water Department use? ▼
Norton Water Department uses Groundwater 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.