What was found in Needham'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 | 1030 µg/L 10% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 980 µg/L 25% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2018 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 68.5 µg/L 3.4% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2018 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 50.8 µg/L 3.9% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 49.025 µg/L 61% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 17.765 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 17.24 µg/L 29% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 15.18 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 14.225 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 12.65 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 5.8 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 5.1 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 4.44 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 1.8 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 1.09 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Chlorobenzene | 0.8000 µg/L 0.8% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0050 mg/L 33% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2023 | 1/1 | LCR |
| PFOS | 0.0050 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2024 | 1/1 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0046 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: NEEDHAM WATER DEPT · 31,664 people · 2024 | 1/1 | UCMR-5 |
Water suppliers serving Needham
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| NEEDHAM WATER DEPT | 31,664 |
Frequently asked questions about Needham tap water
Is Needham tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 19 contaminants in the water serving Needham. 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 Needham?
1 public water supplier report drinking-water monitoring for Needham, Massachusetts to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Needham's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Needham include Nitrate, Fluoride, Barium, Copper, TTHM. 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.