Ashland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
180.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Ashland, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ashland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -19% |
| Washing Machine | 10.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -12% |
| Water Heater | 12.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -18% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ashland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ashland, Massachusetts | 81.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Framingham Center, Massachusetts | 90 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Framingham, Massachusetts | 90 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Holliston, Massachusetts | 85 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Natick, Massachusetts | 91 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ashland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ashland | 81.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Ashland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ashland, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County town adjacent to Framingham and Natick in the MetroWest Boston corridor — receives its municipal water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) or the Ashland Water Division, drawing from Wachusett Reservoir (Wachusett Reservoir watershed, Middlesex County) through the MWRA MetroWest distribution.
The moderately soft 81.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 180.3 mg/L reflect the central Massachusetts Wachusett watershed's moderate calcareous character — harder than the pure granite New England Upland communities (Waterville ME: 16 mg/L; Laconia NH: 32 mg/L) due to the Wachusett watershed's minor Triassic Hartford Basin calcareous input and the MetroWest corridor's modestly calcareous geology. The Wachusett Reservoir drains the New England Upland — Precambrian Worcester Granite (insoluble), Triassic Hartford Basin (calcareous arkosic sandstone — moderate hardness contributor), and Devonian metasedimentary zones (minor calcareous).
At 81.5 mg/L, Ashland's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.8 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Sudbury Assabet and Concord Rivers PFAS background (the SuAsCo watershed has significant industrial PFAS legacy from the MetroWest Massachusetts corridor), Hanscom Air Force Base (Middlesex County — AFFF), and the Greater Boston PFAS complex contribute to Ashland's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Ashland in Middlesex County draws from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority on Wachusett Reservoir (Middlesex County, central Massachusetts) — Wachusett drains the New England Upland (Precambrian Worcester Granite, Triassic Hartford calcareous basin) — Massachusetts Middlesex County Wachusett Reservoir New England crystalline watershed produces moderately soft water at 81.5 mg/L with TDS 180.3 mg/L in this Middlesex County Massachusetts town.