Holliston Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
191.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.23
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 Holliston, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Holliston | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Holliston compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Holliston, Massachusetts | 85 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Medway, Massachusetts | 35 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Ashland, Massachusetts | 81.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Framingham, Massachusetts | 90 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Framingham Center, Massachusetts | 90 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Holliston compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Holliston | 85 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Holliston's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Holliston, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County town adjacent to Milford and Ashland in eastern Massachusetts — receives its water from the Holliston Water Department, drawing from Goodall Park Reservoir (Middlesex County) through the eastern Massachusetts distribution.
The moderately hard 85 mg/L hardness and TDS of 191.5 mg/L are slightly harder than might be expected from a pure Precambrian granite watershed — reflecting the Holliston reservoir's mixed Milford Granite and surrounding glacial till drainage contributing slightly more calcareous dissolution than the purest insoluble granite watersheds. The Holliston watershed at Middlesex County — Precambrian Milford Granite (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian calcareous formations (slightly calcareous — minor contributor), and Pleistocene calcareous glacial till (calcareous — primary hardness contributor).
At 85 mg/L, Holliston's water is moderately hard — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 9.0 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Middlesex County eastern Massachusetts PFAS legacy from industrial sites and Hanscom Air Force Base (Middlesex County — AFFF) contribute to Holliston's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Holliston in Middlesex County draws from the Holliston Water Department on Goodall Park Reservoir (Middlesex County, eastern Massachusetts) — the reservoir drains the Eastern New England Upland (Precambrian Milford Granite — insoluble) — Massachusetts Middlesex County Eastern New England Upland Precambrian granite reservoir produces moderately hard water at 85 mg/L with TDS 191.5 mg/L.