Beverly Cove Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board (SBWSB) provides drinking water to Beverly, including the Beverly Cove area, and the city of Salem in Essex County, Massachusetts. Water is sourced primarily from Wenham Lake, a reservoir filled seasonally from the Ipswich River and local runoff. Treatment occurs at the Board's facility using conventional filtration and hypochlorite disinfection. The utility serves approximately 47,461 people, processing surface water to meet EPA standards, as confirmed by recent quality testing showing compliance with all Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.

Wenham Lake lies within the Ipswich River watershed, spanning glacial till and outwash deposits over the metamorphic bedrock of the Boston Basin geological province. Predominant rock formations include Avalonian terrane schists and granites from the Paleozoic era, which influence water chemistry through gradual mineral dissolution. The surface reservoir nature results in moderately mineralised water, as short contact with soils and bedrock limits ion pickup compared to deeper aquifers; limited limestone influence keeps the supply relatively soft overall.

At this moderately hard level, water can lead to moderate scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Faucets and showerheads may show white deposits, and laundry may feel less clean without extra detergent. Regular vinegar descaling, installing scale-inhibiting filters, or using a water softener can mitigate issues; softeners are often recommended for households with frequent scaling, though not always essential. Water quality testing indicates full compliance with EPA guidelines, with no contaminants exceeding health-based limits and no notable PFAS detections reported.