Grafton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
333.3 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 Grafton, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Grafton | 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 Grafton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Grafton, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 78.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Northbridge, Massachusetts | 19.5 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Millbury, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 128.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Shrewsbury, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 26.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Worcester, Massachusetts | 24.1 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Grafton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Grafton | ≈ 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 Grafton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Grafton Water District serves around 11,438 residents in Grafton, Massachusetts, drawing its drinking water from groundwater sources, including the Worcester St. Well 2. The utility applies standard disinfection and pH adjustment processes, but there are no named treatment plants detailed in reports. The district's office is located at 44 Millbury Street, Grafton, MA 01519, and can be contacted at 508-839-2302. The Board of Water Commissioners meets consistently on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM.
The Niagara dolomite aquifer underlying Worcester County dominates the subsurface, with its limestone-dolomite matrix dissolving calcium and magnesium into the water as it percolates through the aquifer. This Ordovician dolomite formation shapes a hard supply, imparting significant mineral content that influences taste, scaling, and treatment needs. The geology of the area, characterized by dolomite rock, contributes to the hardness of the water.
If you're a homeowner in Grafton, you might notice the effects of hard water on your appliances, such as reduced efficiency and lifespan in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. To mitigate these effects, consider regular vinegar descaling, installing scale filters on high-use appliances, and using detergent formulated for hard water. A water softener is often recommended for households to reduce the mineral content, though it adds sodium - consult the Grafton Water District for guidance. The district maintains a pH level of 7.2-7.5 for optimal distribution, and recent monitoring has shown no detections of certain contaminants in finished water, although PFAS6 violations occurred at Worcester St. Well 2.
Geology & Source: Niagara dolomite aquifer; Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate formation - dolomite rock with magnesium and calcium-rich composition produces hard water
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grafton's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Grafton?
How does Grafton compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Grafton 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.