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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Dudley (109.5 mg/L) is 41 mg/L softer than average.

Dudley Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

109.5mg/L

Moderately Hard

6.4 grains per gallon

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

121 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.29

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

109.5mg/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 Dudley, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Dudley	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	7.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-15%
Washing Machine	10.2 yrs	12 yrs	-15%
Water Heater	12.8 yrs	15 yrs	-15%

Regional Water Comparison

How Dudley compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Dudley, Massachusetts	109.5 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	groundwater
Webster, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	17 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Charlton, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	11.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Southbridge, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Auburn, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	52.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Dudley compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Dudley	109.5 mg/L	🟡 Low
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

Bring Scarsdale-quality water to your Dudley home

Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →

Shop Now

What Makes Dudley's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 121 mg/LpH: 7.8

The Dudley Water Department supplies drinking water to about 5,515 residents in Dudley, Massachusetts. This town, situated in Worcester County, relies on a groundwater system. Water is drawn from local wells that tap into the New England bedrock aquifer. The department oversees both the water distribution and wastewater systems, with its administrative hub at 71 West Main Street, Dudley, MA 01571. The water's journey begins in the Worcester Plateau region, an area characterized by ancient metamorphic bedrock, specifically gneiss and schist formations.

This crystalline bedrock geology, typical of central Massachusetts, influences the water's mineral content. Unlike sedimentary rocks, these ancient metamorphic formations generally contain fewer soluble minerals. Consequently, the groundwater drawn from this aquifer is typically soft to moderately hard. The natural filtration process through these rock layers contributes to the water chemistry delivered to homes and businesses throughout Dudley.

Homeowners may notice that dishes sometimes come out with spots after washing, and soap might not lather as readily as expected. Over time, mineral buildup can occur in pipes and water heaters, potentially reducing their efficiency and lifespan. To combat this, regular cleaning of appliances and fixtures is recommended. For those concerned about mineral content or its effects, a water softener can be a worthwhile investment. The Dudley Water Department provides detailed water quality information in its annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Geology & Source: New England bedrock aquifer; Precambrian gneiss and schist yield soft to moderately hard water

Other Massachusetts Water Reports

Webster

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Charlton

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Southbridge

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Auburn

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

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 Dudley's water safe to drink?

Yes. Dudley's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 109.5 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 Dudley?

Dudley's water is moderately hard at 109.5 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Dudley compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Dudley (109.5 mg/L) is 41 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 Dudley 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.