Medford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
58.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.09
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 Medford, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Medford | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | — |
| Washing Machine | 12.3 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -5% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Medford compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Medford, Massachusetts | 34.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Winter Hill, Massachusetts | 118.5 mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Somerville, Massachusetts | 29.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Union Square, Massachusetts | 79 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Malden, Massachusetts | 112.5 mg/L | 10.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Medford compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Medford | 34.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Medford's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Medford, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County adjacent to Boston and Somerville — home of Tufts University, a densely populated MBTA Green Line city undergoing rapid residential development with a large immigrant community — draws its municipal water supply from the Quabbin Reservoir and Wachusett Reservoir via the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) metro north district. Water hardness in Medford measures 34.5 mg/L — classified as very soft, the softest inner Boston suburb in this dataset.
Medford's very soft supply — substantially lower than neighboring Malden (112.5 mg/L) on older MWRA metro north infrastructure — reflects the Medford distribution zone's more recently replaced distribution mains. The MWRA has undertaken major infrastructure replacement programs across the metro north district, and the Medford service area has benefited from pipe replacement on several key corridors, reducing the mineral accumulation from the aged infrastructure. The Quabbin–Wachusett source is very soft (approximately 15–20 mg/L), and a well-maintained distribution system will maintain supply much closer to the source hardness. Medford's 34.5 mg/L reflects an MWRA district zone with relatively modern distribution pipe status.
With hardness at 34.5 mg/L, Medford residents enjoy very soft water with essentially no scale challenges. MWRA consistently delivers water meeting all Massachusetts MassDEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Quabbin Reservoir and Wachusett Reservoir via the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) metro north district — the inner Middlesex County Medford distribution zone; very soft supply at 34.5 mg/L — the softest inner Boston suburb in this dataset — reflecting relatively newer MWRA distribution mains in the Medford zone compared to older Boston inner suburbs.