Is Lynn, MA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Lynn tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 4.5 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Lynn Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Lynn Compares
Lynn's water is 88% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 96% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #9 of 21 cities (16% below the state average of 19 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Lynn ranks #180 of 189 for hardness.
What Lynn's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 16 PPM - Low Concern
Lynn's water is soft at just 16 PPM. That's good news for your plumbing, appliances, and skin. Scale buildup is a non-issue here, and a water softener would be a waste of money. Lynn is softer than 96% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment in Lynn, contaminant filtration is the place to invest.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Lynn has PFOA at 4.5 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Lynn's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 41.5 ppb (52% of the legal limit, but 277x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 16.3 ppb (27% of the legal limit, but 163x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0688 ppb, which is 3.4x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 16 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 29 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 21.97 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 4.5 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 2.4 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.2 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Lynn
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 4.5 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1 mg/L chlorine, many Lynn residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Lynn
With PFAS at 21.97 ppt in Lynn's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request Lynn Water & Sewer Commission's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Lynn's Water Supply
Water Utility: Lynn Water & Sewer Commission
Water Source: Walden Pond & local reservoirs (Surface Water)
Population Served: 101,253
Hardness: 16 PPM (0.9 grains per gallon)
Lynn's drinking water comes from surface sources — Walden Pond & local reservoirs. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 101,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Lynn Water & Sewer Commission's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Lynn Water & Sewer Commission in Lynn, MA, including ZIP codes:
01901, 01902, 01903, 01904, 01905, 01906, 01907, 01908, 01910, 01915, 01923, 01937, 01940, 01945, 01949, 01960, 01970, 01984
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Lynn to Other Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Lynn Water
Is Lynn tap water safe to drink?
Where does Lynn's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Lynn?
How do I remove PFAS from Lynn tap water?
What water filter is best for Lynn?
Is Lynn water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Lynn's water?
Is chromium-6 in Lynn's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Lynn Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 16 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Lynn's water data.