Sterling Tap Water Quality Report
Sterling's water has 4 contaminants above EPA MCLGs. We recommend using a certified water filter.
Water system
STERLING WATER DEPARTMENT
People Served
6,814
Health-based violations since 2020
1
STERLING WATER DEPARTMENT. EPA SDWA violation data as of Q2 2026 (downloaded 2026-07-09).
Latest sample on file
May 2025 · STERLING WATER DEPARTMENT
Utilities publish newer results in their annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report).
Is Sterling Tap Water Safe to Drink?
We strongly recommend using a certified water filter to reduce exposure: Sterling's water has 4 contaminants above EPA health-based guidelines. Check our filter recommendations below for NSF-certified options that can remove the specific contaminants found in Sterling's water.
STERLING WATER DEPARTMENT, Sterling's water system, serves 6,814 people. Water quality testing is conducted regularly and reported to the EPA. The latest sample on file for STERLING WATER DEPARTMENT is from May 2025.
Boil water advisories are issued by water systems and state agencies, and they change from day to day. Boil water advisories in Massachusetts
Sterling Water Service Areas
What these numbers actually mean for Sterling, MA
We read Sterling, MA’s published record and send you a short report — which findings warrant a decision, which to ignore, and what to do about it. Including when the answer is nothing.
- 4 contaminants above EPA MCLGs and 12 contaminants with an EPA health goal detected in some samples (no level on file)
- 157 results on file
- 23 PFAS compounds on record
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Recommended Water Filters for Sterling
Based on Sterling's water quality data, these NSF-certified filters are recommended to remove contaminants above EPA MCLGs.
AquaTru
Classic
NSF Certified:
Flow Rate
0.04 gpm
Daily Production
600 gpd
Highlights:
- Best overall contaminant reduction score
- Most performance certifications
- Lifetime warranty
- NSF-42, NSF-53, NSF-58, NSF-401 certified
Removes 23 contaminants:
+18 more
Molybdenum, Barium, Chlorine, Arsenic, 83+ contaminants, Calcium, Chloride, Copper, Magnesium, Nitrate, Phosphorus, Sodium, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, Zinc, Total THMs, Chloroform, Nitrate (as N)
AquaTru
Carafe
NSF Certified:
Flow Rate
0.3 gpm
Daily Production
4 gpd
Highlights:
- Verified PFAS reduction
- Glass collection vessel
- Plug-and-play installation
- NSF-53, NSF-42, NSF-58, NSF-401, NSF-372 certified
Removes 17 contaminants:
+12 more
Arsenic, 83+ contaminants, Copper, Total THMs, Chloroform, Chloride, Sulfate, Nitrate (as N), Molybdenum, Barium, Strontium, Uranium
Waterdrop
G3 P600
NSF Certified:
Flow Rate
600 gpm
Daily Production
600 gpd
Highlights:
- Space-saving design
- Good contaminant reduction
- NSF-58 certified
Removes 4 contaminants:
Waterdrop
G3 P800
NSF Certified:
Flow Rate
800 gpm
Daily Production
800 gpd
Highlights:
- High water production rate
- Modern design
- No tank needed
- NSF-42, NSF-53, NSF-58, NSF-372 certified
Removes 15 contaminants:
+10 more
Chlorine, Copper, Manganese, Potassium, Selenium, Total Dissolved Solids, Nitrate, Chloride, Sodium, Strontium
Verify Your Water Quality with Independent Testing
With 4 contaminants above EPA MCLGs and 12 contaminants with an EPA health goal detected in some samples (no level on file), independent laboratory testing provides a second opinion and can track changes over time.
SimpleLab
Advanced Home Water Test
$269
Comprehensive water analysis testing over 200 contaminants including bacteria, heavy metals, and chemical compounds.
Tap Score
PFAS Forever Chemicals Test
$339.95
Specialized test for PFOA, PFOS, and 24 other forever chemicals. Essential for areas near military bases, airports, or industrial sites.
Tap Score
Advanced Microplastics Test
$829
Cutting-edge testing for microplastics particles in drinking water using advanced laboratory techniques.
With 4 contaminants above health guidelines, you may want to explore water purification options. Learn how to make distilled water at home for applications like humidifiers, CPAP machines, and baby formula.
What Sterling's water readings can explain
Utility-reported data for Sterling includes iron and manganese — the readings behind these common tap water questions. We publish a city-level hardness figure for Sterling, resolved from its water systems where they report one and estimated from county sampling where they do not. Each page starts with the hot-tap and cold-tap check, then shows what your own water system reported.
On a private well near Sterling? Public-water results do not apply to private wells. See Worcester County well water testing and USGS risk data — modeled arsenic, nitrate, and the tests to run.
Water softener cost and installation in Sterling
Sterling's tap water measures 1.8 grains per gallon (30.6 mg/L) — soft on the USGS scale, below the range where scale is usually worth treating.
Water softener cost for 1.8 gpg water in Sterling — equipment and local installation labour for your ZIP code, with the sizing arithmetic shown in full. For the national picture first, read what a water softener costs — equipment, installation labour and ten-year ownership, each separated out. For Massachusetts as a whole, read water softener cost in Massachusetts — priced against the plumber wage published for the state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Tap Water
Sterling's water has 4 contaminants above EPA MCLGs. We strongly recommend using a certified water filter to reduce exposure to these contaminants. Check our filter recommendations below for NSF-certified options that can remove the specific contaminants found in Sterling's water.
Spotted something off on this page?
Residents keep our data honest.
This form corrects our data; it does not reach STERLING WATER DEPARTMENT. For a problem with your water now (discolored water, no water, low pressure, a leak), contact STERLING WATER DEPARTMENT directly.
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