Charlton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
321.6 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 Charlton, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Charlton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Charlton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Charlton, Massachusetts | 121 mg/L | 11.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Southbridge, Massachusetts | 43.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Auburn, Massachusetts | 87 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Worcester, Massachusetts | 20 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Millbury, Massachusetts | 54.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Charlton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Charlton | 121 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Charlton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Charlton, Massachusetts, in Worcester County — a Worcester County town adjacent to Southbridge and Spencer in central Massachusetts — receives its water from the Charlton Water Department, drawing from Buffumville Lake or Quinapoxet Reservoir (Worcester County) through the central Massachusetts distribution.
The moderately hard 121 mg/L hardness and TDS of 321.6 mg/L are unexpectedly hard for a central Massachusetts supply — harder than the typical MWRA and regional Massachusetts supplies (~50-80 mg/L) because Charlton draws from the Blackstone valley drainage where minor calcareous contacts and agricultural runoff in the central Massachusetts uplands contribute elevated TDS and hardness. The Blackstone-Quinapoxet watershed at Worcester County — Precambrian Milford Granite (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Dedham Granite (insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Quaternary glacial outwash (slightly calcareous — hardness contributor).
At 121 mg/L with TDS 322, Charlton'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 11.5 ppt is very high — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended — the Worcester County central Massachusetts industrial and former military corridor contribute to Charlton's very elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Charlton in Worcester County draws from the Charlton Water Department on Buffumville Lake or Quinapoxet Reservoir (Worcester County, central Massachusetts) — the Blackstone-Quinapoxet watershed drains Precambrian Milford Granite (insoluble) and Cambrian Dedham Granite (insoluble) — Massachusetts Worcester County Blackstone-Quinapoxet Precambrian-Cambrian insoluble supply produces moderately hard water at 121 mg/L with TDS 321.6 mg/L.