Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Matched to what EPA's records actually show for HAVERHILL WATER DEPT (grade A, 100/100) — not to what sells.
EPA SDWIS/ECHO 2026Q2 · UCMR5 (2023–2026, July 2026 release) · SYR4 six-year review 2012–2019 · Full Haverhill water quality report · Methodology
Carbon pitcher or faucet filter for taste (optional). HAVERHILL WATER DEPT's EPA record is clean: no health-based violations in five years, lead at 0 ppb at the 90th percentile, and none of 116 UCMR5 PFAS results were at or above the reporting limit. Most Haverhill households need nothing more than a carbon filter for chlorine taste — and a lead-certified one if the house has old plumbing.
Not on the strength of EPA's data for HAVERHILL WATER DEPT: no health-based violations in five years, lead at 0 ppb. A taste filter and a lead-certified cartridge for older homes are all most households need.
An NSF/ANSI 42 carbon pitcher or faucet filter for chlorine taste; add NSF/ANSI 53 lead reduction if your home predates 1986.
HAVERHILL WATER DEPT's latest Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile result was 0 ppb (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31), below the 15 ppb action level. Lead enters from service lines and home plumbing, so test at the tap if your home is older.
No. None of the 116 UCMR5 PFAS results for HAVERHILL WATER DEPT (2023-01-23 to 2023-10-10) were at or above the reporting limit.
Look for: NSF/ANSI 42 (taste, chlorine) — NSF/ANSI 53 if your home predates 1986
HAVERHILL WATER DEPT's EPA record is clean: no health-based violations in five years, lead at 0 ppb at the 90th percentile, and none of 116 UCMR5 PFAS results were at or above the reporting limit. Most Haverhill households need nothing more than a carbon filter for chlorine taste — and a lead-certified one if the house has old plumbing.
| Evidence | Result | EPA limit | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile of tap samples) | 0 ppb (lead 90th percentile) | 15 ppb | 2021-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | EPA SDWIS/ECHO 2026Q2 |
| PFAS (UCMR5) | none detected in 116 results | 4 ppt | 2023-01-23 → 2023-10-10 | EPA UCMR5 (July 2026 release) |
Look for: Certified drinking-water lab
Utility data describes water leaving HAVERHILL WATER DEPT. Lead, copper and some PFAS enter between the main and your faucet, so a mail-in lab test is the only way to know what your household actually drinks — and the cheapest way to avoid buying a filter you do not need.
Rows are the contaminants EPA data actually flags for Haverhill. ✓ removes (when certified) · ◐ only specific certified models or media · ✗ does not remove.
| Removes | Pitcher | Under-sink carbon | Reverse osmosis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead from household plumbing (precaution) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chlorine taste and odor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Typical cost | typically $25–$50 + filters | typically $40–$150 | typically $150–$400 |
| Install | none (renters) | under the sink, ~15 min | under sink + faucet; drain line |
| Certification to look for | NSF/ANSI 42 / 53 | NSF/ANSI 42 / 53 | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Verified picks | ZeroWater 10-cup · Brita Elite · Waterdrop pitchers | Waterdrop TSA · Waterdrop 10UA | APEC ROES-50 · Waterdrop tankless RO |
Cost ranges are typical retail prices, not quotes. Removal marks describe the filter class when certified for that contaminant — always check the NSF/ANSI listing of the exact cartridge. Full pitcher vs under-sink vs faucet comparison →
A filter is only certified up to its rated capacity — breakthrough happens when a cartridge runs past it. Budget the cartridges, not just the unit.
| Filter | Change interval | Annual cartridge cost | Replacements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse osmosis (APEC ROES-50) | typically pre-filters every 6–12 months, RO membrane every 2–3 years, post-carbon yearly | typically $50–$90 | Replacement RO filter sets → |
| Under-sink carbon block (Waterdrop TSA / 10UA) | typically every 6–12 months (rated 8,000 gal or 12 months) | typically $30–$60 | Replacement under-sink cartridges → |
| Pitcher (ZeroWater / Brita Elite) | typically every 2–6 months (ZeroWater 20–40 gal depending on TDS; Brita Elite 120 gal ≈ 6 months) | typically $60–$150 | Replacement pitcher filters → |
Amazon Subscribe & Save ships cartridges on the interval you choose at a small recurring discount, which is the easiest way to keep a certified filter within its rated life. Costs are typical retail figures, not quotes; check the capacity printed on your exact cartridge.
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Haverhill will follow up - no obligation.
Even with good water quality, a filter removes trace contaminants and improves taste.
For Everyday Peace of Mind
Brita Elite Pitcher
Your water already tests well — a simple carbon filter improves taste and catches trace contaminants.
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