Skip to main content
WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 01748 Water Quality Report

Hopkinton, MA · Middlesex County County

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

3

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

0

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 1 unresolved violation and 3 boil water advisories. Contact Hopkinton Water Department for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 01748

Tap water in ZIP code 01748 (Hopkinton, MA) receives a C grade (score: 61/100) based on EPA monitoring data. While the water from Hopkinton Water Department is treated and regulated, this area has a moderate violation history that residents should be aware of.

Water System

Hopkinton Water Department

EPA ID: MA2139000

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

12,586 residents

County

Middlesex County County, Massachusetts

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 01748

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 7.4 ppb — Below Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 01748 is 7.4 ppb, below the EPA action level of 15 ppb but above what many health experts consider ideal. The CDC and EPA both affirm there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Families with young children or pregnant women should consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter, and request lead testing of their home's tap water.

Lead exposure risk in 01748 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 43% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This may reflect a mix of older and newer housing stock and infrastructure. Families with young children should test their home's water and consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
7.40 ppb (0.0074 mg/L)
Copper Level (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

1.52 mg/L
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

43%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Hopkinton Water Department has recorded 3 violations, but none are health-based. Administrative or reporting violations don't directly indicate unsafe water, but they do signal gaps in documentation or monitoring procedures. 1 violation is currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility. Additionally, this area has had 3 boil water advisorys — temporary orders issued when microbial contamination risk is elevated.

Total Violations (5 yr)
3
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
1
Boil Water Advisories
3
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Moderate. Hopkinton Water Department has had occasional lapses in compliance but generally meets Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 01748. This means EPA monitoring has not found levels of regulated contaminants exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set under the Safe Drinking Water Act — a positive indicator of water quality compliance.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

10 enforcement actions have been issued against Hopkinton Water Department — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
🌊

Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

1.59%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 01748 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 01748 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 01748?+
Tap water in 01748 (Hopkinton, MA) is treated and regulated, but has a grade of C due to past violations. For most healthy adults, treated tap water is generally safe. Families with infants, young children, or immunocompromised individuals may want to use a certified water filter as a precaution.
What is the lead level in 01748 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 01748 is 7.4 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the action level, but some health experts recommend a lead filter for families with young children.
Who provides tap water to 01748?+
Tap water in ZIP code 01748 is provided by Hopkinton Water Department (EPA ID: MA2139000). This system serves approximately 12,586 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 01748?+
ZIP code 01748 is served by ground water. Groundwater systems draw from underground aquifers. While naturally filtered, groundwater can still contain naturally occurring contaminants such as arsenic, radium, or nitrates at elevated levels in some regions.
Does 01748 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 1 unresolved violation on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact Hopkinton Water Department for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 01748?+
Your water utility — Hopkinton Water Department — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Hopkinton Water Department Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 01748?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 01748, with a clean compliance record, a standard carbon block filter meeting NSF/ANSI 42 is a good choice for taste and as a precaution.
Is 01748 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Given the detected lead level of 7.4 ppb in 01748, we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter or certified bottled water for preparing infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 01748 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Hopkinton Water Department. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →