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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.
Real EPA measurements of haloacetic acids (haa5) for Massachusetts water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
These cities have haloacetic acids (haa5) levels above 50% of the EPA limit but within compliance
| City | Level | % of Limit | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 43.79 ug/L | 73.0% | 169,170 |
| New Bedford | 40.56 ug/L | 67.6% | 101,079 |
| Holyoke | 36.98 ug/L | 61.6% | 37,838 |
| Leominster | 36.01 ug/L | 60.0% | 41,683 |
| Chicopee | 33.98 ug/L | 56.6% | 55,560 |
| Pittsfield | 31.79 ug/L | 53.0% | 43,927 |
| Fitchburg | 30.40 ug/L | 50.7% | 41,946 |
Every Massachusetts system with a haloacetic acids (haa5) result in EPA's data, sorted by level. Averages of 2012–2019 finished-water samples, non-detects counted as zero — historical, not today's tap.
| City | Level | Period | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpringfieldGrade A | 43.79 ug/LAverage of 328 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 73.0% | Warning |
| New BedfordGrade A | 40.56 ug/LAverage of 214 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 67.6% | Warning |
| HolyokeGrade A | 36.98 ug/LAverage of 124 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 61.6% | Warning |
| LeominsterGrade A | 36.01 ug/LAverage of 229 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 60.0% | Warning |
| ChicopeeGrade A | 33.98 ug/LAverage of 244 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 56.6% | Warning |
| PittsfieldGrade A | 31.79 ug/LAverage of 159 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 53.0% | Warning |
| FitchburgGrade B | 30.40 ug/LAverage of 222 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 50.7% | Warning |
| LawrenceGrade A | 28.37 ug/LAverage of 244 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 47.3% | Safe |
| WorcesterGrade A | 28.01 ug/LAverage of 254 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 46.7% | Safe |
| WakefieldGrade B | 27.07 ug/LAverage of 120 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 45.1% | Safe |
| SalemGrade A | 26.66 ug/LAverage of 219 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 44.4% | Safe |
| BeverlyGrade A | 26.66 ug/LAverage of 219 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 44.4% | Safe |
| TauntonGrade A | 26.15 ug/LAverage of 230 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 43.6% | Safe |
| PeabodyGrade B | 23.19 ug/LAverage of 258 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 38.6% | Safe |
| BrocktonGrade A | 22.33 ug/LAverage of 248 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 37.2% | Safe |
| BurlingtonGrade A | 20.31 ug/LAverage of 266 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 33.8% | Safe |
| Fall RiverGrade A | 19.94 ug/LAverage of 227 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 33.2% | Safe |
| AttleboroGrade C | 19.93 ug/LAverage of 140 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 33.2% | Safe |
| HaverhillGrade A | 18.98 ug/LAverage of 216 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 31.6% | Safe |
| RandolphGrade A | 17.90 ug/LAverage of 20 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 29.8% | Safe |
| LynnGrade B | 15.63 ug/LAverage of 225 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 26.1% | Safe |
| MarlboroughGrade A | 14.72 ug/LAverage of 111 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 24.5% | Safe |
| MethuenGrade B | 12.63 ug/LAverage of 124 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 21.1% | Safe |
| BraintreeGrade C | 12.53 ug/LAverage of 109 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 20.9% | Safe |
| LowellGrade B | 10.47 ug/LAverage of 253 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 17.5% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 31 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Haloacetic acids are disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine or other disinfectants react with organic matter. The EPA regulates five HAAs (HAA5): monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid. Studies have linked HAAs to increased cancer risk and potential developmental and reproductive effects. Dichloroacetic acid in particular has been shown to cause liver cancer in laboratory animals.
Formed during water disinfection when chlorine reacts with organic compounds; levels vary with source water quality and treatment processes
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,haloacetic acids (haa5) has been detected in 31 Massachusetts water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 36% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 73.0% of the limit.
The EPA MCL for HAA5 is 60 ug/L (60 ppb). The EPA MCL for haloacetic acids (haa5) is 60 ug/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
31 Massachusetts cities have haloacetic acids (haa5) detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Increased cancer risk, potential liver damage, developmental effects. The most vulnerable groups include pregnant women and people with liver conditions.
The most effective methods for removing haloacetic acids (haa5) include Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for haloacetic acids (haa5) reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for haloacetic acids (haa5) is 60 ug/L.The EPA MCL for HAA5 is 60 ug/L (60 ppb).
This page shows what Massachusetts utilities reported for haloacetic acids (haa5). It cannot tell you what is coming out of your own tap: utility samples are taken across a whole system and averaged, levels vary by address and season, and anything picked up after the water leaves the main never appears in their report.
Home water test kitscheck your own tap before buying any filterRecommended filtration methods for haloacetic acids (haa5) removal:
Granular activated carbon effective for HAAs
Removes most HAAs
Effective removal
Paid links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Filters are matched to the removal methods listed above for haloacetic acids (haa5).