Newtonville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
260 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.28
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 Newtonville, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Newtonville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -28% |
| Washing Machine | 9.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -19% |
| Water Heater | 11.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -24% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Newtonville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Newtonville, Massachusetts | 105 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Newton, Massachusetts | 103 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Watertown, Massachusetts | 61.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Waltham, Massachusetts | 52 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | 19.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Newtonville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Newtonville | 105 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Newtonville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Newtonville, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County village in Newton adjacent to Watertown and Waltham in the inner Boston suburbs — receives its water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) through Newton Water, drawing from Wachusett Reservoir through the east-central Massachusetts distribution.
The moderately hard 105 mg/L hardness and TDS of 260 mg/L are elevated for MWRA water — the Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss provides insoluble dilution, but Cambrian Hopkinton Formation calcareous metamorphic rocks and distribution system mineralization contribute dissolved mineral content to the Boston metro supply (compare Watertown MA: 102/253 in Middlesex County comparable; Waltham MA: 107/267 in Middlesex County comparable; Newtonville consistent moderate from the same Middlesex County Wachusett Reservoir MWRA Precambrian supply). The Wachusett watershed — Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Hopkinton Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Wachusett alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 105 mg/L with TDS 260, Newtonville's water is moderately hard. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 10.4 ppt is very high — a certified filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended — the Middlesex County inner Boston suburb industrial legacy (former defense contractors, chemical plants) contributes to Newtonville's very elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Newtonville in Middlesex County draws from the MWRA Newton Water on Wachusett Reservoir (Middlesex County, east-central Massachusetts) — the Wachusett watershed drains Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss (insoluble) and Cambrian Hopkinton Formation (slightly calcareous) — Massachusetts Middlesex County Wachusett Reservoir MWRA Precambrian supply produces moderately hard water at 105 mg/L with TDS 260 mg/L.