Norfolk Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
278.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Norfolk, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Norfolk | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -21% |
| Water Heater | 11.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Norfolk compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Norfolk, Massachusetts | 110 mg/L | 10.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Wrentham, Massachusetts | 23.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| 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 |
National Benchmark
How Norfolk compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Norfolk | 110 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Norfolk home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Norfolk's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Norfolk, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County — a Norfolk County town adjacent to Franklin and Wrentham in the southwest Massachusetts suburbs — receives its water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) or the Town of Norfolk Water Department, drawing from the Wachusett/Cosgrove watershed through the east Massachusetts distribution.
The moderately hard 110 mg/L hardness and TDS of 278.5 mg/L reflect the Norfolk County supply's moderate character — while the Precambrian Wachusett Mountain Gneiss provides insoluble dilution, Norfolk's distribution zone draws from a blend that concentrates moderately harder mineral content than the MWRA core supply; the Cambrian Clinton-Newbury Belt provides slightly calcareous mineral content (compare Franklin MA: 107/269 in Norfolk County comparable; Wrentham MA: 113/287 in Norfolk County comparable; Norfolk consistent moderate from the same Norfolk County MWRA Wachusett watershed Precambrian insoluble supply). The Wachusett watershed — Precambrian Wachusett Mountain Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Clinton-Newbury Belt (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Central Massachusetts glacial till (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 110 mg/L with TDS 279, Norfolk's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 10.7 ppt is very high — a certified filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended. Review MWRA's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Norfolk in Norfolk County draws from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority on the Cosgrove/De Norcross watershed (Norfolk County, east Massachusetts) — the MWRA Wachusett watershed draws from Precambrian Wachusett Mountain Gneiss (insoluble) and Cambrian Clinton-Newbury Belt (slightly calcareous) — Massachusetts Norfolk County MWRA Wachusett watershed Precambrian insoluble supply produces moderately hard water at 110 mg/L with TDS 278.5 mg/L.