Billerica Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
45.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Billerica, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Billerica | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Billerica compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Billerica, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 62.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Tewksbury, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 28 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Bedford, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Lowell, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 12.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Burlington, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 18.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Billerica compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Billerica | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Billerica's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Billerica Water Works serves approximately 42,119 people across Billerica, Lowell, and Pinehurst in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The utility sources water from both surface water and groundwater, treating it via air stripping, filtration, conventional treatment methods, and disinfection with hypochlorite. The utility is reachable at 978-256-2931 or 20 Watershed Ln, Chelmsford, MA 01824. The 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (CCR) is published on the Town of Billerica website.
The supply originates in the Shawsheen River watershed, with contributions from local groundwater in the Ipswich River basin. Underlying geology includes Quaternary glacial deposits rich in carbonate materials over older metamorphic and igneous bedrock, including the Lowell Formation — a Pennsylvanian-age metamorphic unit. Dissolution of calcium and magnesium from limestone fragments and dolomitic layers in the glacial drift imparts a hard character, typical of New England river systems influenced by limestone-bearing tills.
Hard water in Billerica leads to scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, pipes, and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, reducing efficiency and increasing energy costs. Laundry may appear dingy, and skin and hair can feel dry. Regular maintenance includes vinegar descaling, installing sediment filters, and annual heater flushing; a whole-house water softener is recommended to remove calcium and magnesium and prevent long-term plumbing damage. The utility has reported 6 contaminants above EPA health guidelines, with 2 MCL violations recorded, including potential issues with copper, trichloroethylene, and total trihalomethanes; full compliance details are available in the 2025 CCR.
Geology & Source: Shawsheen River watershed and Ipswich River basin aquifers; Pleistocene glacial till, sand and gravel over Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks and Lowell Formation metamorphics; limestone fragments and dolomitic layers in glacial drift produce hard water
Other Massachusetts Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billerica's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Billerica?
How does Billerica compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Billerica is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.