Medway Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Medway Water Department, part of the Town of Medway's Department of Public Works, supplies drinking water to about 13,000 residents in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Their entire water supply comes from town-owned groundwater wells, treated at the Water Quality Treatment Plant on 45B Holliston Street. Treatment involves chemical processes and pressure filtration using Greensand media. This facility ensures the water meets strict state and federal drinking water standards. The Medway supply is drawn from local groundwater aquifers within the Neponset River watershed, a region shaped by glacial deposits and metamorphic bedrock.

Medway's water originates from wells situated in unconsolidated glacial sands and gravels. These layers sit atop Paleozoic schists and argillites, geological formations typical of eastern Massachusetts. The underlying Roxbury Conglomerate and Cambridge Argillite are Paleozoic metamorphic rocks. Because the groundwater has limited contact with carbonate-rich limestones and other soluble rock formations, it contains low levels of dissolved minerals, resulting in a naturally soft water character. The area's glacial history further limits the dissolution of calcium and magnesium-bearing minerals.

Because Medway's water is naturally soft, homeowners typically experience less scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. Soap and detergents also lather more easily, which can simplify cleaning tasks. While a water softener isn't generally needed and could potentially strip beneficial minerals, homeowners with older galvanized pipes might want to ensure the water's pH is properly balanced to prevent corrosion. The Medway Water Department actively manages naturally occurring elements like iron and manganese through their Greensand filtration system, keeping levels below advisory thresholds to maintain water quality and taste.