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Holbrook Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

6.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

149 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

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 Holbrook, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn HolbrookSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
8.2 yrs
8.5 yrs-4%
Washing Machine
11.5 yrs
12 yrs-4%
Water Heater
14.4 yrs
15 yrs-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Holbrook compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Holbrook, Massachusetts≈ 0–59 mg/L8.9 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Randolph, Massachusetts≈ 0–60 mg/L114.7 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Braintree, Massachusetts≈ 0–60 mg/L83.1 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Brockton, Massachusetts≈ 0–60 mg/L0 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Abington, Massachusetts≈ 0–60 mg/L7 ppt🟢 Softreservoir

National Benchmark

How Holbrook compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Holbrook≈ 0–59 mg/L🟢 None
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Holbrook's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 149 mg/LpH: 6.4

The Holbrook Public Works Department supplies drinking water to Holbrook, Massachusetts, drawing from groundwater sources. This system relies on wells tapping into local aquifers within the Neponset River watershed and nearby coastal drainages. Treatment is carried out at facilities operated by the department, with a shared mailing address at 65 East Main Street, Avon, MA 02322. The Randolph/Holbrook Joint Water Board also plays a role in source water assessment and protection for the area. Unlike systems dependent on surface water, Holbrook's supply is sustained by water infiltrating through glacial deposits.

Holbrook's groundwater originates from the coastal plain aquifer, a formation composed of Quaternary glacial sands and gravels. These unconsolidated deposits lie atop bedrock from the Proterozoic Z and Ordovician periods, specifically the Blue Hills complex, which includes Quincy Granite and Braintree Slate. The geology is characterized by a lack of significant carbonate formations. This geological makeup means the water has very low dissolved mineral content, resulting in a characteristically soft water profile for the region.

Homeowners in Holbrook will likely notice that their soft water doesn't leave much scale on appliances or plumbing. This means less frequent cleaning of fixtures, water heaters, and dishwashers, and you'll find that soaps and detergents create a richer lather. While the water quality scores well overall, there are a few concerns, including some contaminants exceeding EPA health guidelines, with potential PFAS presence. Tapwaterdata.com suggests considering a filter, and the utility adheres to MassDEP regulations, including those for PFAS. Regular monitoring confirms that pH and lead/copper levels meet required standards.

Geology & Source: Coastal plain aquifer system; unconsolidated glacial and post-glacial deposits over granitic bedrock yield soft water

Other Massachusetts Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Holbrook's water safe to drink?
Yes. Holbrook's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Holbrook?
Holbrook's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.
How does Holbrook compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Holbrook (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 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 Holbrook 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

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.

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.