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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 total trihalomethanes (tthm) for Massachusetts water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
These cities have total trihalomethanes (tthm) levels above 50% of the EPA limit but within compliance
| City | Level | % of Limit | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 55.84 ug/L | 69.8% | 90,330 |
| Beverly | 55.84 ug/L | 69.8% | 90,330 |
| Springfield | 55.76 ug/L | 69.7% | 169,170 |
| Brockton | 53.73 ug/L | 67.2% | 105,788 |
| Braintree | 53.77 ug/L | 67.2% | 39,143 |
| Attleboro | 53.10 ug/L | 66.4% | 46,461 |
| Lawrence | 52.39 ug/L | 65.5% | 89,143 |
| Leominster | 52.35 ug/L | 65.4% | 41,683 |
| Fitchburg | 51.68 ug/L | 64.6% | 41,946 |
| Fall River | 51.55 ug/L | 64.4% | 94,000 |
Showing 10 of 19 cities with elevated levels
Every Massachusetts system with a total trihalomethanes (tthm) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SalemGrade A | 55.84 ug/LAverage of 220 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 69.8% | Warning |
| BeverlyGrade A | 55.84 ug/LAverage of 220 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 69.8% | Warning |
| SpringfieldGrade A | 55.76 ug/LAverage of 327 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 69.7% | Warning |
| BrocktonGrade A | 53.73 ug/LAverage of 253 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 67.2% | Warning |
| BraintreeGrade C | 53.77 ug/LAverage of 108 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 67.2% | Warning |
| AttleboroGrade C | 53.10 ug/LAverage of 140 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 66.4% | Warning |
| LawrenceGrade A | 52.39 ug/LAverage of 244 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 65.5% | Warning |
| LeominsterGrade A | 52.35 ug/LAverage of 205 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 65.4% | Warning |
| FitchburgGrade B | 51.68 ug/LAverage of 219 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 64.6% | Warning |
| Fall RiverGrade A | 51.55 ug/LAverage of 220 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 64.4% | Warning |
| HaverhillGrade A | 51.25 ug/LAverage of 198 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 64.1% | Warning |
| ChicopeeGrade A | 45.38 ug/LAverage of 244 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 56.7% | Warning |
| WorcesterGrade A | 44.42 ug/LAverage of 250 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 55.5% | Warning |
| PeabodyGrade B | 44.32 ug/LAverage of 259 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 55.4% | Warning |
| TauntonGrade A | 43.19 ug/LAverage of 232 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 54.0% | Warning |
| LynnGrade B | 42.10 ug/LAverage of 224 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 52.6% | Warning |
| RandolphGrade A | 41.64 ug/LAverage of 20 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 52.1% | Warning |
| PittsfieldGrade A | 41.41 ug/LAverage of 160 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 51.8% | Warning |
| LowellGrade B | 41.00 ug/LAverage of 260 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 51.3% | Warning |
| New BedfordGrade A | 38.51 ug/LAverage of 220 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 48.1% | Safe |
| WoburnGrade C | 38.32 ug/LAverage of 132 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 47.9% | Safe |
| WakefieldGrade B | 38.03 ug/LAverage of 120 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 47.5% | Safe |
| AndoverGrade F | 34.42 ug/LAverage of 118 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 43.0% | Safe |
| NatickGrade C | 32.52 ug/LAverage of 118 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 40.6% | Safe |
| BurlingtonGrade A | 32.33 ug/LAverage of 268 samples | 2012–2019 | 80.00 ug/L | 40.4% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 31 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Trihalomethanes are disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. Long-term exposure to high levels of TTHMs has been associated with increased cancer risk, particularly bladder cancer. Studies have also linked TTHMs to reproductive problems including miscarriage and birth defects. Chloroform, the most common THM, can cause liver and kidney damage.
Formed when chlorine disinfectants react with natural organic matter in water; higher in surface water systems with more organic material
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,total trihalomethanes (tthm) has been detected in 31 Massachusetts water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 52% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 69.8% of the limit.
The EPA MCL for total trihalomethanes is 80 ug/L (80 ppb). The EPA MCL for total trihalomethanes (tthm) is 80 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 total trihalomethanes (tthm) detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Increased cancer risk (bladder), liver and kidney damage, potential reproductive effects. The most vulnerable groups include pregnant women and people with liver disease.
The most effective methods for removing total trihalomethanes (tthm) include Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for total trihalomethanes (tthm) reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes (tthm) is 80 ug/L.The EPA MCL for total trihalomethanes is 80 ug/L (80 ppb).
This page shows what Massachusetts utilities reported for total trihalomethanes (tthm). 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 total trihalomethanes (tthm) removal:
Very effective for TTHMs
Removes 90%+ of TTHMs
THMs are volatile and can be removed by aeration
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 total trihalomethanes (tthm).