Bedford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
311.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Bedford, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Bedford | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Bedford compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bedford, Massachusetts | 118.5 mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lexington, Massachusetts | 71 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Billerica, Massachusetts | 28 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Concord, Massachusetts | 52.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Burlington, Massachusetts | 76 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Bedford compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bedford | 118.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Bedford's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Bedford, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County town adjacent to Burlington and Lexington in north-central Massachusetts — receives its water from the MWRA, drawing from Quabbin Reservoir or Wachusett Reservoir (Middlesex County) through the north-central Massachusetts distribution.
The moderately hard 118.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 311.7 mg/L — identical to Winter Hill MA in the same MWRA Middlesex County distribution zone — are harder than the pure Quabbin supply (typically ~40-60 mg/L) because Bedford's north-central Middlesex County position in the MWRA distribution adds local groundwater blending contacts with calcareous Quaternary drift. The Quabbin-Wachusett system at Middlesex County — Precambrian Quabbin Granodiorite (insoluble — dilutant from reservoir), Quaternary Middlesex drift (calcareous — primary hardness contributor from local blending), and Devonian Pelham Gneiss (insoluble — secondary dilutant).
At 118.5 mg/L with TDS 312, Bedford's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 11.4 ppt is very high — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended — the Middlesex County north-central Massachusetts military (Hanscom AFB) and industrial corridor contribute to Bedford's very elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Bedford in Middlesex County draws from the MWRA on Quabbin Reservoir or Wachusett Reservoir (Middlesex County, north-central Massachusetts) — the Quabbin-Wachusett watershed drains Precambrian Quabbin Granodiorite (insoluble) and Devonian Pelham Gneiss (insoluble) — Massachusetts Middlesex County MWRA Quabbin-Wachusett Precambrian-Devonian insoluble supply produces moderately hard water at 118.5 mg/L with TDS 311.7 mg/L.