Melrose Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
61.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.10
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 Melrose, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Melrose | 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 Melrose compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Melrose, Massachusetts | 36 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Malden, Massachusetts | 112.5 mg/L | 10.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Stoneham, Massachusetts | 65.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Wakefield, Massachusetts | 47.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Everett, Massachusetts | 39 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Melrose compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Melrose | 36 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Melrose's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Melrose, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a major north Boston suburban community (Melrose is a significant Middlesex County city — a north Boston suburb adjacent to Malden and Winchester on the Orange and Green Line transit corridors; Melrose is one of the most desirable inner north Boston suburbs, known for its beautiful Victorian-era residential neighborhoods (Melrose has one of the most intact collections of Queen Anne, Italianate, and Colonial Revival Victorian residential architecture in Middlesex County — the historic residential neighborhoods of Melrose are consistently celebrated as among the most attractive in suburban Boston)), home of Ell Pond and Crystal Lake (two natural urban freshwater features that contribute to Melrose's residential appeal), a diverse Middlesex County community with a primarily middle-class to upper-middle-class, Irish-American, and professional suburban population, adjacent to Malden and Wakefield in the north Middlesex County corridor, home of the Melrose MBTA Commuter Rail stations connecting to Boston's North Station, and one of the most sought-after inner north Boston suburbs — draws its municipal water supply via the City of Melrose Water Division. Water hardness in Melrose measures 36 mg/L — classified as very soft.
Melrose's very soft supply reflects the north Boston Middlesex County crystalline volcanic watershed's calcareous-poor character. The Middlesex Fells watershed at Melrose drains the Precambrian Lynn Volcanic Complex (calcareous-poor). Melrose Water Division produces the very soft 36 mg/L.
With hardness at 36 mg/L, Melrose residents enjoy very soft water. City of Melrose Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Massachusetts DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Ell Pond and Spot Pond (Middlesex Fells watershed) via the City of Melrose Water Division — the Middlesex County north Boston suburban Melrose corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor Lynn Volcanic Complex and Precambrian calcareous-poor Medford Granite — the extremely calcareous-poor north Boston Middlesex County crystalline volcanic watershed; excellent treatment); very soft supply at 36 mg/L in Middlesex County.