How does Kingston's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Kingston (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

Kingston Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

5.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Kingston	Soft Water City	Efficiency 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 Kingston compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Kingston, Massachusetts	≈ 0–59 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Duxbury, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	348.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Carver, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	10.3 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Hanover, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	113.3 ppt	🟢 Soft	mixed
Hanson, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	14.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Kingston compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Kingston	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Kingston's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 204 mg/LpH: 5.9

The Kingston Water Department provides water to the town of Kingston, Massachusetts. Their supply comes entirely from the Plymouth-Carver Aquifer System, a significant groundwater source for southeastern Massachusetts. Water is drawn from this aquifer and then treated at facilities before being distributed to homes and businesses throughout the town. Christopher Veracka is the Water Superintendent for the department, which is located at 26 Evergreen Street in Kingston.

The Plymouth-Carver Aquifer System is characterized by layers of sand and gravel deposited during the Pleistocene epoch as glacial outwash. Beneath these deposits lies older Precambrian metamorphic bedrock. This geological makeup, common in southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape Cod region, is notable for its lack of carbonate rocks like limestone. Consequently, the water passing through these formations picks up very few dissolved minerals, resulting in the naturally soft water supplied to Kingston residents.

Because Kingston's water is soft, you'll likely notice less buildup of scale inside your appliances, such as water heaters and dishwashers, and in your pipes. Soap and detergents tend to lather more easily, meaning you might use less product for cleaning. While softening isn't typically needed due to hardness, some people might opt for filters for taste reasons. The good news is that soft water generally contributes to longer appliance life and makes cleaning tasks more efficient. Importantly, all tested contaminants in Kingston's tap water are well within safe limits, meeting all EPA standards.

Geology & Source: Plymouth-Carver Aquifer System; Pleistocene glacial outwash deposits and Precambrian bedrock; low mineral content produces soft water

Other Massachusetts Water Reports

Duxbury

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Carver

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Hanover

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Hanson

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kingston's water safe to drink?

Yes. Kingston'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 Kingston?

Kingston'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 Kingston compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Kingston (≈ 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 Kingston 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

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.