Massachusetts · population 40,245
Lead pipes in Chelsea, MA
88 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Chelsea (population 40,245) gets its water from Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra). That system reported 87 lead and 1 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 5,885, with 4,403 more of unknown material.
1.5% of Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra)'s service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Massachusetts average (2.2%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 1.5%
- Galvanized (replace) <0.1%
- Unknown 75%
- Non-lead 24%
Latest lead test for Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra) (2025): 2.4 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015 for Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra).
Water systems serving Chelsea
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra)Main system | 87 | 1 | 4,403 | 1.5% |
| Everett Water Dept. (Mwra)Serves nearby areas | 1,071 | 2 | 1,428 | 13% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Chelsea
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra)'s official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
Check another water system
Questions
Does Chelsea, MA have lead pipes?
Yes. Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra), which serves Chelsea, reported 87 lead and 1 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 4,403 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Chelsea?
EPA's service area maps place most of Chelsea in Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra)'s service area (PWSID MA3057000). Everett Water Dept. (Mwra) also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Chelsea home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra)'s service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Chelsea be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Chelsea Water Dept. (Mwra) whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.