Hudson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
247.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Hudson, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hudson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -18% |
| Water Heater | 11.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hudson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hudson, Massachusetts | 101.5 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Marlborough, Massachusetts | 122 mg/L | 11.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Sudbury, Massachusetts | 73.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Framingham Center, Massachusetts | 90 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Acton, Massachusetts | 57.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hudson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hudson | 101.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hudson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hudson, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County town adjacent to Marlborough and Bolton on the Assabet River in east-central Massachusetts — receives its municipal water from the Hudson Water Division, drawing from local watershed reservoirs (Middlesex County, Assabet River watershed) through the east-central Massachusetts distribution.
The moderately hard 101.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 247.6 mg/L are substantially harder than the MWRA Boston metro supply (Roxbury Crossing: 49.5 mg/L) and harder than the typical central Massachusetts crystalline watershed — suggesting Hudson's local reservoirs include Triassic Hartford Basin or calcareous local bedrock input. The Hudson watershed at Middlesex County drains the New England Upland and Triassic Hartford Basin margin — Devonian Marlboro Formation (schist — insoluble), Triassic New Haven Arkose (calcareous redbed — primary hardness and TDS contributor), and local Cambrian Westboro Formation (quartzite — insoluble). The Triassic calcareous redbed input distinguishes the Hudson supply.
At 101.5 mg/L, Hudson's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 10.2 ppt is very high — Hanscom Air Force Base (Middlesex County — AFFF, directly adjacent to the Assabet watershed), the Assabet River PFAS background from the Fort Devens legacy contamination (Ayer — AFFF), and the central Massachusetts military-industrial corridor contribute to Hudson's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Hudson in Middlesex County draws from the Hudson Water Division on the Assabet River and local Suasco Watershed reservoirs (Middlesex County, east-central Massachusetts) — the Assabet drains the New England Upland (Devonian Marlboro Formation schist — insoluble) — Massachusetts Middlesex County Assabet River New England crystalline watershed produces moderately hard water at 101.5 mg/L with TDS 247.6 mg/L.