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Public water system record

Melrose Water Division (MWRA)

Serves Melrose, Middlesex County, MA · 29,357 people served

Federal records show 1 health-based violation and no monitoring/reporting issues for Melrose Water Division (MWRA) in the last ten years, including an unresolved Lead and Copper Rule violation.

  • MA3178000
  • MELROSE
  • MA
  • 29,357 served

System profile

Source water Purchased surface water
ZIP 02176
EPA system ID MA3178000

Verify this system on EPA ECHO →

Health-based violations, last 10 years
1
Resolved
0
Unresolved
1
Any acute record
No
Monitoring issues, last 10 years
0

Key facts

  • Melrose Water Division (MWRA) buys its water from MWRA.
  • Most recent formal enforcement: compliance order with a penalty by Massachusetts, December 2022.
  • Record on file since 1980, with 15 health-based violations before October 19, 2016.
  • Lead pipe inventory: 400 lead and 263 unknown out of 7,966 service lines.

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Health-based violations

Since October 2016

Violation data reflects EPA records through March 2026. For the most current status, visit the EPA ECHO database.

Contaminant Rule family Start date Status Acute
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 350 Nov 1, 2021 Active
Enforcement action in place
 No

Full record since 1980

EPA's records for Melrose Water Division (MWRA) go back to 1980. Before October 19, 2016 they list 15 health-based violations (11 resolved, 4 archived by EPA without a recorded fix) and 1 monitoring or reporting violation.

Violations that began in Health-based Monitoring and reporting
1980s 0 1
1990s 12 0
2000s 2 0
2010 to October 18, 2016 1 0
2020s 1 0

Most recent health-based violation before October 19, 2016: Lead and Copper Rule, began January 2013, Resolved.

Show all 15 health-based violations before October 19, 2016
Contaminant Start date Status
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 2013 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 2009 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 2008 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 1999 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 1998 Resolved
Total Coliform (acute)
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Jul 1, 1997 Archived
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Jun 1, 1997 Archived
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 1994 Resolved
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Jul 1, 1993 Archived
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 1993 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 1992 Archived
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment technique failure
 Jan 1, 1992 Resolved
Total Coliform (acute)
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Aug 1, 1991 Resolved
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Jul 1, 1991 Resolved
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Jun 1, 1991 Resolved

Enforcement actions

Massachusetts regulators took 6 formal enforcement actions against Melrose Water Division (MWRA) between 1993 and 2022. The most recent was a compliance order with a penalty in December 2022.

Date By Action Violations covered
Dec 19, 2022 Massachusetts Compliance order with a penalty 1 violation (1 health-based): Lead and Copper Rule
Aug 11, 2009 Massachusetts Compliance order (no penalty) 2 violations (2 health-based): Lead and Copper Rule
Mar 31, 2009 Massachusetts Compliance order (no penalty) 1 violation (1 health-based): Lead and Copper Rule
Feb 10, 2000 Massachusetts Compliance order (no penalty) 1 violation (1 health-based): Lead and Copper Rule
Mar 8, 1999 Massachusetts Compliance order (no penalty) 1 violation (1 health-based): Lead and Copper Rule
Jun 29, 1993 Massachusetts Compliance order (no penalty) 1 violation (1 health-based): Surface Water Treatment Rule

What the violations mean

Lead and Copper Rule

1 incident

The system did not complete a treatment step or action that the Lead and Copper Rule requires (a treatment technique violation).

The utility had to notify customers about this violation.

Where the water comes from

Melrose Water Division (MWRA) buys its water from MWRA. It lists no wells or intakes of its own.

Buys water from

Annual water quality report

Melrose Water Division (MWRA) must give its customers an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report) by July 1, with the levels its tests found in the previous year.

Systems serving 10,000 or more people must mail or deliver the report to every customer, and from 2027 they must send it twice a year.

Find a posted report with EPA's Consumer Confidence Report search

Testing your own water

To test the water at your tap, or a private well this record does not cover, use a laboratory certified for drinking water by Massachusetts.

Certified drinking water labs by state EPA guidance for private wells