How does Beverly's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Beverly (67.5 mg/L) is 83 mg/L softer than average.

Beverly Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

67.5mg/L

Moderately Hard

3.9 grains per gallon

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

39.5 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.18

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

67.5mg/L as CaCO₃Moderately Hard

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 Beverly, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Beverly	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	7.4 yrs	8.5 yrs	-13%
Washing Machine	11.1 yrs	12 yrs	-8%
Water Heater	12.9 yrs	15 yrs	-14%

Regional Water Comparison

How Beverly compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Beverly, Massachusetts	67.5 mg/L	4.8 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir
Beverly Cove, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Salem, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	17.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Danvers, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Peabody, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	143.3 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Beverly compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Beverly	67.5 mg/L	🟡 Low
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Beverly's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 39.5 mg/LpH: 7.2

Beverly, Massachusetts is served by the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board (SBWSB), a regional utility providing water to both Salem and Beverly. The primary water source is Wenham Lake, a surface reservoir in the North Shore region. Water is treated using conventional filtration and disinfected with sodium hypochlorite before distribution to approximately 47,461 residents across the service area. The utility's treatment plant and administrative offices are located at 148 Park Street, Beverly, MA 01915. The water board recommends consulting their Annual Water Quality Report and the SBWSB website at sbwsb.gov for comprehensive contaminant and treatment details.

The Wenham Lake watershed is situated in the glacially-shaped North Shore landscape of Massachusetts, characterized by Precambrian to Paleozoic metamorphic and igneous bedrock of the Avalonian terrane. The lake basin was carved by Pleistocene glaciation and is surrounded by glacial deposits rich in mineral-bearing sediments. These geological features — particularly the abundance of calcium and magnesium-bearing minerals in both the glacial soils and underlying bedrock — contribute to the moderately soft character of the water supply, with alkalinity ranging from approximately 25–35 mg/L (as CaCO₃) and calcium levels from 14–25 mg/L.

At moderately soft levels, Beverly residents may notice some scaling on fixtures, reduced soap efficiency in laundry and bathing, and potential buildup in water heaters and appliances over time. Dishwashers and washing machines are typically the most affected. While a water softener is not essential for health, many households choose to install one to reduce scale formation and improve cleaning performance. Regular descaling of kettles and faucet aerators is recommended to maintain appliance efficiency. Beverly's water meets all EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) with no violations reported; the utility's 2026 water quality testing shows all contaminants within safe levels.

Geology & Source: Wenham Lake, North Shore Massachusetts; Avalonian terrane — Precambrian to Paleozoic metamorphic and igneous bedrock overlain by Pleistocene glacial deposits; calcium and magnesium from mineral-bearing sediments yield moderately soft water

Other Massachusetts Water Reports

Beverly Cove

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Salem

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Danvers

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Peabody

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beverly's water safe to drink?

Yes. Beverly's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 67.5 mg/L (Moderately Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Beverly?

Beverly's water is moderately hard at 67.5 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Beverly compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Beverly (67.5 mg/L) is 83 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Beverly is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.