privatewelldata / Counties / Massachusetts

Worcester County, Massachusetts

Arsenic: 28 of 130 sampled wells (22%) above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. Nitrate: 1 of 126 sampled wells (1%) above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N. Samples 1952-06-12 to 2019-06-11; updated 2026-10-18. Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well.

What wells in this county have measured for arsenic and nitrate. A local picture only: test your own well to know your water.

Arsenic

28 of 130 sampled wells (22%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L.

Median (latest per well): 1 µg/L
90th percentile: 48 µg/L
Highest: 620 µg/L
Non-detects: 10 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 150, 1982-04-05 to 2019-06-11
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-18

Nitrate

1 of 126 sampled wells (1%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N.

Median (latest per well): 0.24 mg/L as N
90th percentile: 2.6 mg/L as N
Highest: 13 mg/L as N
Non-detects: 46 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 188, 1952-06-12 to 2019-06-11
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-18

Includes monitoring, research and private wells reported to the Water Quality Portal. Non-detects count only when the lab's detection limit is at or below the EPA limit. Method: data rules.

What to do next

Test your own well. County numbers cannot tell you what is in your water. See which tests fit your well.
Use a lab certified by Massachusetts. Certified labs in Massachusetts.
Compare your results with the EPA limits (arsenic 10 µg/L, nitrate 10 mg/L as N). If a result is above a limit, contact your county or state health department.
If a result is high: arsenic guide · nitrate guide · bacteria guide · salesperson checklist.
Test again every year for bacteria and nitrate. Get a yearly reminder.