Amesbury Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Amesbury Department of Public Works (DPW) Water Division provides municipal water service to approximately 16,699 residents in Amesbury, Massachusetts, located in Essex County. The utility sources water from surface water reservoirs within the Merrimack River watershed system. The water treatment facility is located at 12 Newton Road, Amesbury, MA 01913. The utility maintains compliance with EPA and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection standards, with an excellent compliance record of only one total violation recorded since 2023. The 2023 Water Quality Report is available through the Amesbury municipal website.

Amesbury's water supply draws from the Merrimack River watershed, which traverses glacially-modified terrain characteristic of the New England Upland physiographic province. The underlying geology consists of Precambrian metamorphic bedrock and Paleozoic sedimentary formations — including schist and quartzite — overlain by glacial deposits of sand, silt, and clay. These formations contribute dissolved calcium and magnesium to the surface water, creating a moderately mineralized supply typical of northeastern Massachusetts coastal regions and producing a moderately hard character.

At the moderately hard classification, Amesbury's water causes some scaling in kettles and water heaters with extended use and may reduce soap efficiency in laundry and bathing. A water softener is recommended for households with high water usage or sensitive appliances, and regular descaling of water heaters and periodic cleaning of aerators is advised. The water system contains contaminants including carbon tetrachloride, aluminum, and bis(2-chloroethyl) ether, with two contaminants detected above EPA health-based guidelines (MCLGs); certified water filtration is recommended for additional protection, especially for children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.