Hudson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
307 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Hudson, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hudson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -14% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hudson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hudson, Massachusetts | 101.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Marlborough, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Maynard, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 33.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Sudbury, Massachusetts | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 144 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Framingham Center, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 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 | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 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.
Other Massachusetts Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hudson's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Hudson?
How does Hudson compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Hudson 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.