What was found in Bedford's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 650 µg/L 6.5% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 170 µg/L 17% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 67.51 µg/L 84% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 50.8 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 26.16 µg/L 44% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 21.5 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 20 µg/L 1% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2018 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 17.44 µg/L 1.3% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2018 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 10.165 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 5.36 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 5.32 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 5.3 pCi/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 1.93 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 1.655 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 1.6 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloromethane | 0.9000 µg/L 18% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0040 mg/L 27% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: BEDFORD WATER DEPT. · 14,955 people · 2025
Highest in the city: 0.0048 mg/L — HANSCOM AFB · 11,789 people · 2025 | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Bedford
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| BEDFORD WATER DEPT. | 14,955 |
| HANSCOM AFB | 11,789 |
| BEDFORD VA HOSPITAL (ROGERS MEM. HOSP.) | 177 |
Frequently asked questions about Bedford tap water
Is Bedford tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 17 contaminants in the water serving Bedford. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Bedford?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Bedford, Massachusetts to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Bedford's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Bedford include Nitrate, Nitrite, TTHM, Chloroform, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.