Lowell Regional Water Utility
Lowell, Massachusetts · PWSID: MA3160000
Lowell Water Quality Summary
Lowell Regional Water Utility supplies drinking water to about 115,000 people in Lowell, Massachusetts, and draws from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), which requires fuller treatment for runoff, sediment, and microbial risk. On the IsWaterSafe scale it earns a failing Water Safety Score of 55 out of 100 (Grade F), a composite of its EPA SDWIS violation and contaminant record.
EPA records show 3 health-based violations for this system plus 3 monitoring violations. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its legal EPA limit, the most serious category in the Safe Drinking Water Act. The system has 4 enforcement actions on file in response.
Across the single substance sampled, none exceeded its EPA limit. Combined Filter Effluent sits highest relative to its ceiling, detected at 0.5 NTU against an MCL of 1 NTU (sampled July 2017) — within the legal limit.
The most pressing open issue is a treatment technique violation involving Combined Filter Effluent, beginning June 2023 and still open in EPA records.
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Detected Contaminants
| Contaminant | Detected Level | MCL (Limit) | Status | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Filter Effluent | 0.5 NTU | 1 NTU | Within Limit | Jul 1, 2017 |
Violation History
Frequently Asked Questions
Lowell Regional Water Utility has a Water Safety Score of F (55/100). The system serves 115,000 people and has 3 health violations on record. Check the contaminant table above for specific detected substances.
Lowell Regional Water Utility has 0 contaminant exceedances above EPA health guidelines. See the full contaminant detection table above for all tested substances and their levels relative to legal limits and health guidelines.
The Water Safety Score (0-100, grades A through F) is based on contaminant levels relative to legal limits, health guideline exceedances, violation history, and enforcement actions. Higher scores indicate fewer concerns.
If your water system has violations, request the Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, consider getting an independent water test from a certified lab, and look into certified water filters for specific contaminants of concern. For lead, run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking.
Water quality data sourced from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Safety scores are calculated based on contaminant levels, violations, and enforcement history. This is not a substitute for your utility's official Consumer Confidence Report.
Source: EPA Ground Water and Drinking Water, 2026.