Water Hardness in Massachusetts
Across 199 measured cities — with 117 more covered by labeled county-level estimates — Massachusetts's median tap water hardness is 46.5 mg/L (2.7 gpg): soft on the USGS scale. Below: every covered city, the state's hardest and softest water, and the geology that explains it.
Data updated September 13, 2026. Sources: utility-reported water quality data and USGS/EPA Water Quality Portal samples.
What it costs to soften Massachusetts water
Water softener cost in Massachusetts at 2.7 gpg prices the equipment and the installation labour against the plumber wages published for Massachusetts, and labels every range as modelled or measured rather than leaving you to guess which it is.
Massachusetts · 2.72 grains per gallon
$1,025–$1,431
installed, midpoint $1,205 — a 24,000-grain unit, the size 4 people at this hardness need.
Salt and drain water over 10 years: $470–$1,069 — the 2,978,400 grains of hardness this household removes, at the national salt price and water rate whose sources are named below. Filter changes and Service contract are omitted rather than assumed.
Sized for 4 people regenerating every 7 days: 5,712 grains of capacity needed, rounded up to the next common residential size. The median of 199 measured Massachusetts cities in our hardness dataset. Modelled: the standard build band published for that state at the size this hardness calls for, equipment priced 2026-10-04 against the May 2025 reference period (OEWS M2025). Salt: the median retailer price of 3 retailers, read 2026-10-04, at a declared salt dose per regeneration. Drain water: about 50 gallons per regeneration from a government extension estimate read 2026-10-04, at the 2024 national average water and sewer rate from a government source read 2026-10-04.
Deciding whether it is worth it at all? Start from how much a water softener costs nationally — the same equipment, installation and ten-year ownership breakdown before any state wage adjustment is applied.
Massachusetts Cities by Hardness Category
Measured cities only — labeled county estimates never enter the category counts or the median.
| Category | Range | Measured cities | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 0-60 mg/L | 117 | 58.8% |
| Moderately hard | 60-120 mg/L | 66 | 33.2% |
| Hard | 120-180 mg/L | 14 | 7.0% |
| Very hard | >180 mg/L | 2 | 1.0% |
Hardest and Softest Water in Massachusetts
Measured values only; labeled county estimates and values under active dispute never rank.
Hardest water in Massachusetts
Softest water in Massachusetts
- Southbridge — 7.4 mg/L (0.4 gpg), soft
- Southbridge Town — 7.4 mg/L (0.4 gpg), soft
- Fall River — 8.3 mg/L (0.5 gpg), soft
- Leominster — 9.5 mg/L (0.6 gpg), soft
- Chicopee — 9.6 mg/L (0.6 gpg), soft
Every Covered City in Massachusetts
All 316 covered Massachusetts cities, sorted by population served. "County estimate" rows are labeled context values from USGS/EPA Water Quality Portal county sampling — they never enter the median above. City names link to each city's full water quality page.
| City | Hardness (mg/L) | gpg | Category | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 17.2 | 1.0 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Worcester | 25.4 | 1.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Springfield | 10.5 | 0.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Cambridge | 60.2 | 3.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Lowell | 20.2 | 1.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Brockton | 30.9 | 1.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Quincy | 27.6 | 1.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Lynn | 67.2 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| New Bedford | 17.7 | 1.0 | Soft | Computed from Ca+Mg |
| Falmouth | 14.8 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Fall River | 8.3 | 0.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Newton | 17.8 | 1.0 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Somerville | 18.4 | 1.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Lawrence | 29.2 | 1.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Framingham | 16.6 | 1.0 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Malden | 24.9 | 1.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Waltham | 15.0 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Dennis | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| South Dennis | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Brookline | 19.0 | 1.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Taunton | 28.1 | 1.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Haverhill | 36.3 | 2.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Medford | 21.3 | 1.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Revere | 87.0 | 5.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Weymouth | 28.8 | 1.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Weymouth Town | 28.8 | 1.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Chicopee | 9.6 | 0.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Peabody | 128.0 | 7.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Methuen | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Barnstable Town | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Everett | 16.0 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Beverly | 70.5 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Attleboro | 44.4 | 2.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Arlington | 16.7 | 1.0 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Hingham | 123.0 | 7.2 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Salem | 66.8 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Plymouth | 25.7 | 1.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Pittsfield | 27.5 | 1.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Leominster | 9.5 | 0.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Billerica | 63.3 | 3.7 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Westfield | 75.4 | 4.4 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Fitchburg | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Dedham | 124.0 | 7.3 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Woburn | 99.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| West Yarmouth | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Holyoke | 14.2 | 0.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Chelsea | 15.0 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Amherst | 29.6 | 1.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Amherst Town | 29.6 | 1.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Harwich | 22.8 | 1.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Braintree | 54.7 | 3.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Braintree Town | 54.7 | 3.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Marlborough | 66.8 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Shrewsbury | 137.0 | 8.0 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Gloucester | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Natick | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Mashpee | 30.0 | 1.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Andover | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Watertown | 15.5 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Brewster | 28.6 | 1.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Hyannis | 26.0 | 1.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Abington | 76.8 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Randolph | 56.9 | 3.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Randolph Town | 56.9 | 3.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Marshfield | 89.2 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Franklin | 61.8 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Franklin Town | 61.8 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Needham | 89.5 | 5.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Lexington | 22.6 | 1.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| North Andover | 37.5 | 2.2 | Soft | Computed from Ca+Mg |
| Tewksbury | 29.1 | 1.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Milford | 37.0 | 2.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Chatham | 25.9 | 1.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Haydenville | 16.0 | 0.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Northampton | 43.1 | 2.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Wellesley | 74.6 | 4.4 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Melrose | 18.3 | 1.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Stoughton | 47.2 | 2.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| West Springfield | 107.0 | 6.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| West Springfield Town | 107.0 | 6.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Chelmsford | 81.1 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| North Attleborough | 75.8 | 4.4 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| North Attleborough Town | 75.8 | 4.4 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Agawam | 12.0 | 0.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Agawam Town | 12.0 | 0.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Milton | 15.0 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Saugus | 9.6 | 0.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Norwood | 16.7 | 1.0 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Danvers | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Wakefield | 51.3 | 3.0 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Reading | 14.6 | 0.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Bridgewater | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Bridgewater Town | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Walpole | 66.3 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Burlington | 129.0 | 7.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Turners Falls | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Dracut | 62.8 | 3.7 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Belmont | 15.5 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Dartmouth | 39.6 | 2.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Oak Bluffs | 22.9 | 1.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Mansfield | 50.1 | 2.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Wilmington | 142.0 | 8.3 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Stoneham | 16.0 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Sandwich | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Winchester | 20.4 | 1.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Bourne | 24.4 | 1.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Provincetown | 23.6 | 1.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Canton | 82.8 | 4.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Westborough | 63.8 | 3.7 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Gardner | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Wareham | 49.1 | 2.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Marblehead | 15.5 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Newburyport | 100.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Acton | 72.1 | 4.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Salisbury | 107.0 | 6.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Scituate | 67.8 | 4.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Winthrop | 87.0 | 5.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Norton | 44.7 | 2.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Hudson | 66.8 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Ashland | 34.3 | 2.0 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Sudbury | 101.0 | 5.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Foxborough | 48.0 | 2.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Somerset | 31.9 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Pembroke | 44.5 | 2.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Concord | 40.2 | 2.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Westford | 85.4 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Webster | 65.0 | 3.8 | Moderately hard | Computed from Ca+Mg |
| Orleans | 18.6 | 1.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Greenfield | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Southbridge | 7.4 | 0.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Southbridge Town | 7.4 | 0.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Holden | 26.5 | 1.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Amesbury | 40.4 | 2.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Sharon | 53.0 | 3.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Swansea | 45.3 | 2.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Middleborough | 41.8 | 2.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Bellingham | 53.0 | 3.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Easthampton | 121.0 | 7.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Duxbury | 34.8 | 2.0 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Kingston | 39.2 | 2.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| East Longmeadow | 14.9 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Longmeadow | 10.8 | 0.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Fairhaven | 31.9 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| North Reading | 35.4 | 2.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Clinton | 14.3 | 0.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Holliston | 56.5 | 3.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Swampscott | 37.9 | 2.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Hanover | 132.0 | 7.7 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| East Bridgewater | 61.8 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Seekonk | 76.1 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Whitman | 43.7 | 2.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Wayland | 109.0 | 6.4 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Bedford | 56.3 | 3.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Ipswich | 143.0 | 8.4 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Northborough | 32.8 | 1.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| North Adams | 64.7 | 3.8 | Moderately hard | Computed from Ca+Mg |
| Medfield | 95.4 | 5.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Auburn | 183.0 | 10.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Norwell | 63.2 | 3.7 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Holbrook | 53.0 | 3.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Uxbridge | 42.7 | 2.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Grafton | 59.6 | 3.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Wrentham | 64.4 | 3.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Maynard | 85.8 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Southborough | 13.5 | 0.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Weston | 29.9 | 1.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Raynham | 71.5 | 4.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Raynham Center | 71.5 | 4.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hopkinton | 47.4 | 2.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Athol | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Rockport | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Lenox | 80.4 | 4.7 | Moderately hard | Computed from Ca+Mg |
| Medway | 95.5 | 5.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Millbury | 96.4 | 5.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hanson | 30.9 | 1.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Littleton | 66.8 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Blackstone | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Plainville | 56.1 | 3.3 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Pepperell | 46.5 | 2.7 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Georgetown | 74.3 | 4.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Millis | 100.0 | 5.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Wilbraham | 24.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Ayer | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| West Boylston | 41.3 | 2.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Whitinsville | 26.4 | 1.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Adams | 108.0 | 6.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Buzzards Bay | 16.1 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Mattapoisett | 31.6 | 1.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| West Bridgewater | 30.9 | 1.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Norfolk | 53.0 | 3.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Hamilton | 166.0 | 9.7 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Cohasset | 35.2 | 2.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Halifax | 47.4 | 2.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| North Chelmsford | 115.0 | 6.7 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Ware | 16.0 | 0.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Middleton | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Merrimac | 32.0 | 1.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Spencer | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Edgartown | 14.8 | 0.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Oxford | 61.0 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Sterling | 30.6 | 1.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Rowley | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Townsend | 40.3 | 2.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Marion | 30.9 | 1.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Dalton | 72.5 | 4.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Groveland | 85.7 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| South Hadley | 86.9 | 5.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Baldwinville | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Lancaster | 69.2 | 4.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hopedale | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Winchendon | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Lincoln | 59.5 | 3.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Rutland | 18.6 | 1.1 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Lee | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Dudley | 43.3 | 2.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Topsfield | 106.0 | 6.2 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Onset | 14.6 | 0.8 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Manchester By The Sea | 70.6 | 4.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Groton | 85.0 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hadley | 126.0 | 7.4 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Cotuit | 58.8 | 3.4 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Southampton | 16.0 | 0.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| South Deerfield | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Lynnfield | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Palmer | 45.0 | 2.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Palmer Town | 45.0 | 2.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Avon | 74.2 | 4.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Sturbridge | 93.5 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Douglas | 37.6 | 2.2 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Upton | 31.8 | 1.9 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Paxton | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| South Egremont | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Monson | 24.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Barre | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Wenham | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Ashburnham | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Westminster | 10.1 | 0.6 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Nahant | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Belchertown | 64.7 | 3.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hatfield | 68.7 | 4.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Three Rivers | 24.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| South Grafton | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Essex | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Leicester | 104.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| West Newbury | 98.0 | 5.7 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Sunderland | 43.3 | 2.5 | Soft | Utility-reported |
| Stockbridge | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Sutton | 85.3 | 5.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| West Brookfield | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Byfield | 147.0 | 8.6 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Dover | 53.0 | 3.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Shelburne Falls | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Deerfield | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Assonet | 31.9 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| East Brookfield | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Brookfield | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bernardston | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Thorndike | 24.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bondsville | 24.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Harvard | 266.0 | 15.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Cheshire | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Great Barrington | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Housatonic | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Berlin | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| North Dighton | 31.9 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Russell | 24.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Huntington | 16.0 | 0.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gilbertville | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| West Warren | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Northfield | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Carver | 30.9 | 1.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Wellfleet | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Dunstable | 90.1 | 5.3 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Erving | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Millers Falls | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| West Stockbridge | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Mendon | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Montague | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Lakeville | 30.9 | 1.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Gill | 33.5 | 2.0 | Soft | County estimate |
| Wheelwright | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Royalston | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Westport | 31.9 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Warren | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Boylston | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| South Wellfleet | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Rehoboth | 31.9 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Acushnet | 31.9 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| North Truro | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Hinsdale | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Hampden | 24.0 | 1.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Lunenburg | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Williamstown | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Hubbardston | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Richmond | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Sherborn | 66.8 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Barnstable | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Bolton | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Boxborough | 66.8 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Boxford | 61.9 | 3.6 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Charlton | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Cherry Valley | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Devens | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| East Falmouth | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Forestdale | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Granby | 16.0 | 0.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Hanscom AFB | 66.8 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Osterville | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Pocasset | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Rochdale | 41.0 | 2.4 | Soft | County estimate |
| Rockland | 30.9 | 1.8 | Soft | County estimate |
| Sagamore | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| Sagamore Beach | 22.0 | 1.3 | Soft | County estimate |
| South Easton | 31.9 | 1.9 | Soft | County estimate |
| Stow | 66.8 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| West Wareham | 30.9 | 1.8 | Soft | County estimate |
Above 120 mg/L (7 gpg), scale is usually worth treating — see our water softener guide, or size a system with the hardness calculator & converter.
The Geology Behind Massachusetts's Water Hardness
Massachusetts sits in the New England crystalline uplands region.
New England sits on granite, gneiss, and schist - crystalline bedrock with almost no carbonate minerals for water to dissolve. Ample rain and snowmelt move quickly through thin, glacially scoured soils into rivers and upland reservoirs without picking up much calcium or magnesium. That is why the USGS maps this region among the softest water in the country.
Massachusetts Water Hardness FAQ
Does Massachusetts have hard water?
On the whole, no — Massachusetts's statewide median sits below the hard threshold, though some cities run harder. The median is 46.5 mg/L (2.7 gpg) — soft on the USGS scale, where anything above 120 mg/L (7 gpg) counts as hard. 16 of Massachusetts's 199 measured cities fall in the hard or very hard bands (8%), so check your own city rather than the state average.
How hard is tap water in Massachusetts?
Across the 199 Massachusetts cities with measured values in our index, the median hardness is 46.5 mg/L (2.7 gpg) — soft on the USGS scale. Individual cities range from 7.4 to 266.0 mg/L, so check your own city rather than assuming the state number.
Which city in Massachusetts has the hardest water?
Harvard has the hardest measured tap water in our Massachusetts index at 266.0 mg/L (15.6 gpg) — very hard on the USGS scale. Rankings use measured utility values only; labeled county estimates and values under active dispute are excluded.
Do I need a water softener in Massachusetts?
16 of Massachusetts's 199 measured cities (8%) fall in the hard or very hard bands — above 120 mg/L (7 gpg), the level where most water treatment professionals suggest considering an ion-exchange softener. Hardness varies utility to utility, so look up your own city's value before sizing equipment.
How do I find my city's exact water hardness?
Enter your ZIP code in our free lookup at tapwaterdata.com/zip to see the value we hold for your Massachusetts city from utility-reported water quality data, check your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), or use a home test-strip kit.
Need whole-house or professional water treatment?
For the problems a pitcher or under-sink filter cannot fix — scale, rust and black staining, sulfur smell, well contamination, or test results you cannot explain. Tell us what is happening and we will connect you with a local water-treatment professional.
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