Needham Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
219.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Needham, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Needham | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Needham compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Needham, Massachusetts | 93.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Newton, Massachusetts | 103 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Wellesley, Massachusetts | 67 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Westwood, Massachusetts | 91 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Dedham, Massachusetts | 90.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Needham compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Needham | 93.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Needham's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Needham, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County — a major southwest Boston suburban community (Needham is a significant Norfolk County town — a southwest Boston suburb with one of the most distinguished public school systems in Massachusetts (Needham High School consistently ranks among the top high schools in the state); Needham is situated along the Route 128/I-95 technology corridor — the famous Massachusetts Technology Highway, one of the most significant technology and biotech corridors in the United States; Needham has significant technology and pharmaceutical company campuses along the Route 128 corridor), a diverse Norfolk County community with a primarily affluent Jewish-American, professional technology, and old-money Boston suburban population, home of the Charles River Greenway (one of the most popular recreational trails in the inner Boston metro — the Charles River bike path through Needham is part of the Bay Circuit Trail), adjacent to Newton and Dedham in the southwest Boston corridor, and one of Greater Boston's most desirable towns — draws its municipal water supply via the Town of Needham Water Division. Water hardness in Needham measures 93.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Needham's moderate softness reflects the southwest Boston Norfolk County Charles River watershed's calcareous-poor crystalline geology. The Charles River watershed at Needham drains the Precambrian Dedham Granite (calcareous-poor crystalline). Needham Water Division produces the moderately soft 93.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 93.5 mg/L, Needham residents enjoy moderately soft water. Town of Needham Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Massachusetts DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Charles River watershed (Needham Reservoir) via the Town of Needham Water Division — the Norfolk County southwest Boston Needham corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor Dedham Granite — the extremely calcareous-poor southwest Boston Norfolk County crystalline granite watershed; effective treatment); moderately soft supply at 93.5 mg/L in Norfolk County.