ZIP: 02471

Watertown, Massachusetts

Score: 10/10

Watertown faces a critical hazard score of 10.0. The Agway/Kress Property is a nearby Superfund site containing hazardous substances. Living near these sites means chemicals may exist in the soil or groundwater. These substances can harm your health if you touch or breathe them over a long time. Nearby locations like the Shaffer Landfill and Watertown Bemis Dump are less than a block away, increasing the risk of exposure during your daily outdoor activities and local neighborhood travel.

Hazard Data Summary

Hazard Score

10/10

Risk Level

Critical

Primary Contaminant

Unspecified Hazardous Substances

Nearest Superfund Site

AGWAY/KRESS PROPERTY

Distance to Nearest

1.9 mi

Sites Within 5 Miles

Sites Within 10 Miles

County

Middlesex

NPL Status

Active

Regulatory Overview

Watertown, Massachusetts, zip code 02471, currently carries a critical environmental hazard designation due to severe industrial contamination proximity. The United States Environmental Protection Agency oversees ten hazardous waste facilities within five miles and twenty-one facilities within ten miles of this area. The most prominent nearby EPA-managed location is the Agway/Kress Property, an active National Priorities List site currently undergoing continuous regulatory evaluation and early-stage mitigation. Other active operations posing immediate localized threats include the Shaffer Landfill and the Watertown Bemis Dump, both situated merely a hundredth of a mile from central residential zones.

Regulatory records indicate the persistent presence of unspecified hazardous substances across these locations. Such broad-spectrum industrial contaminants typically encompass volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and legacy chemical byproducts. Chronic environmental exposure to these substances through groundwater vapor intrusion or airborne soil particulates can disrupt endocrine function, increase respiratory illness rates, and elevate long-term neurological risks in vulnerable local populations. Because the Agway/Kress Property and surrounding landfills remain in active cleanup stages, the underground migration of contaminated plumes represents a continuous public health variable.

Given the density of these active mitigation zones, residents must implement proactive environmental safeguards immediately. Individuals should install certified reverse osmosis water filtration systems to intercept potential municipal or well water chemical incursions. Homeowners should secure professional indoor air quality testing focused specifically on detecting volatile organic compounds migrating from sub-slab soil vapor intrusion. Furthermore, residents should strictly avoid cultivating edible plants in untreated native topsoil, exclusively utilizing raised beds with imported, certified-clean soil for all domestic agricultural activities.

Threat Summary

Nearby Superfund Sites

Site Name	EPA ID	Distance	NPL Status
SHAFFER LANDFILL	110009349035	0.01 mi	Active
WATERTOWN BEMIS DUMP	110009337388	0.01 mi	Active
REXNORD KNIFE DIVISION	110009325104	1.24 mi	Active
W.R. GRACE & CO., INC. (ACTON PLANT)	110060542916	1.64 mi	Active
AGWAY/KRESS PROPERTY	110009290383	1.85 mi	Active
STARMET	110000309452	1.94 mi	Active
W R GRACE DARAMIC PLANT	110071100769	1.97 mi	Active
FORT DEVENS-SUDBURY TRAINING ANNEX	110009289607	2.84 mi	Active
FWS-ASSABET RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE	110070058232	3.75 mi	Active
SPERRY RESEARCH CENTER	110008406126	3.92 mi	Active

Action Required

Residents should contact local organizations for environmental advocacy and housing assistance. Reach out to the Arlington Land Trust Inc to learn about local land conservation and safety efforts. For housing-related concerns or safety inspections, contact RCAP SOLUTIONS, INC. at 978-630-6734 or QUINCY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS, INC. at 617-479-8181. These agencies provide resources for residents living in high-risk zones. Request information on environmental testing or relocation assistance if you suspect immediate exposure in your home. Proactive engagement with these groups helps ensure your living environment remains as safe as possible.

HUD Housing Counseling

Government Verified

Rcap Solutions, Inc.

Worcester, MA

Call 978-630-6734 HUD Listing

Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc.

Quincy, MA

Call 617-479-8181 HUD Listing

Environmental Organizations

IRS Verified

Alus America IncEnvironmental
Anaphero Collective FoundationEnvironmental
Arlington Land Trust IncEnvironmental

Data Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS). Facility data from EPA Facility Registry Service (FRS). Nonprofit data from IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File. Housing counseling data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

This report is generated from publicly available government data and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For current site-specific information, visit EPA Superfund.