Gloucester Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
296.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.31
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 Gloucester, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gloucester | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -32% |
| Washing Machine | 9.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -22% |
| Water Heater | 11 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gloucester compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gloucester, Massachusetts | 114.5 mg/L | 11.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Beverly Cove, Massachusetts | 25.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Beverly, Massachusetts | 25 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Marblehead, Massachusetts | 119 mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Salem, Massachusetts | 87 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Gloucester compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gloucester | 114.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gloucester's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gloucester, Massachusetts, in Essex County — a major northeast Massachusetts Cape Ann fishing and arts city (Gloucester is a significant Essex County city — the oldest fishing port in the United States (settled 1623); Gloucester is the 'Fishing Capital of New England' — home of the legendary Gloucester fishing fleet and one of the most storied maritime communities in American history; Gloucester is remembered as the home port for the Andrea Gail (made famous by Sebastian Junger's 'The Perfect Storm' — the Andrea Gail was lost in the 'Perfect Storm' of 1991 with six crew members; Gloucester's fishermen memorial (the famous 'Man at the Wheel' bronze statue) is one of the most photographed maritime memorials in America)), home of the Rocky Neck Art Colony (one of the oldest continuously operating art colonies in the United States — the Rocky Neck area of Gloucester has attracted American artists since the 19th century), a diverse Essex County community with a significant Portuguese-American and Sicilian-American fishing heritage population — draws its municipal water supply via the City of Gloucester Water Division. Water hardness in Gloucester measures 114.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Gloucester's moderate hardness — notable for Cape Ann's crystalline granite geology — reflects some distribution variation or local source blending. The Gloucester granite watershed drains the Precambrian Cape Ann Granite (calcareous-poor). City of Gloucester treatment produces the moderate 114.5 mg/L.
At 114.5 mg/L, Gloucester residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning is recommended. City of Gloucester Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Massachusetts DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Babson and Goose Cove Reservoirs (Annisquam River watershed) via the City of Gloucester Water Division — the Essex County northeast Massachusetts Cape Ann Gloucester corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor Gloucester Granite and Cape Ann Granite — the extremely calcareous-poor Cape Ann crystalline granite watershed; excellent treatment); moderately hard supply at 114.5 mg/L in Essex County.