Medway 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
59.2 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 Medway, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Medway | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -1% |
| Washing Machine | 12.3 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -5% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Medway compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Medway, Massachusetts | 35 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Franklin, Massachusetts | 92 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Holliston, Massachusetts | 85 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Milford, Massachusetts | 48 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Ashland, Massachusetts | 81.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Medway compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Medway | 35 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Medway's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Medway, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County — a Norfolk County town adjacent to Millis and Franklin on the Charles River headwaters in east-central Massachusetts — receives its water from the Medway Water Department, drawing from the Charles River watershed reservoir (Norfolk County) through the east-central Massachusetts distribution.
The very soft 35 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 59.2 mg/L reflect the Norfolk County Charles River headwaters supply's very soft character — the Precambrian Milford Granite and Cambrian Hopkinton Dolomite in the upper Charles watershed contribute minimal calcareous dissolution, producing very soft water typical of the eastern Massachusetts headwaters communities (compare Raynham MA: 61 mg/L; Windham NH: 66.5 mg/L). The Charles River headwaters at Norfolk County — Precambrian Milford Granite (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Hopkinton Dolomite (slightly calcareous — minor hardness contributor), and Pleistocene glacial outwash (insoluble — secondary dilutant).
At 35 mg/L, Medway's water is very soft — scale forms very slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Norfolk County east-central Massachusetts industrial corridor contribute to Medway's readings.
Geology & Source: Medway in Norfolk County draws from the Medway Water Department on the Charles River watershed reservoir (Norfolk County, east-central Massachusetts) — the Charles River watershed at Norfolk County drains Precambrian Milford Granite (insoluble) and Cambrian Hopkinton Dolomite (slightly calcareous) — Massachusetts Norfolk County Charles River Precambrian-Cambrian insoluble supply produces very soft water at 35 mg/L with TDS 59.2 mg/L.