How does North Andover's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. North Andover (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

North Andover Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

287 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

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 North Andover, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In North Andover	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How North Andover compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ North Andover, Massachusetts	≈ 0–59 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Lawrence, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	6.1 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Methuen, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	19 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Haverhill, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Salem, New Hampshire	≈ 120–179 mg/L	72.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How North Andover compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ North Andover	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes North Andover's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 287 mg/LpH: 7.5

The North Andover Water Division, operated by the Town of North Andover, Massachusetts, supplies drinking water to residents in Essex County. The 2023 Annual Water Quality Report, available via the town's news site, references specific water sources, though detailed source names such as surface water bodies or groundwater aquifers are not enumerated in public-facing pages. The service area encompasses the municipality of North Andover, MA, with the division contactable at (978) 623-8707 for resident concerns; the 2023 Consumer Confidence Report provides full compliance details.

North Andover's supply draws from the Merrimack River watershed region of northeastern Massachusetts, characterized by glacial till, metamorphic bedrock from the Carboniferous period including schists and granites, and overlying unconsolidated aquifers in the Coastal Lowlands physiographic province. This geology contributes to a very soft water character due to the low natural dissolution of calcium and magnesium from the predominantly igneous and metamorphic formations, resulting in minimally mineralized surface water with limited hardness ions.

With very soft water, North Andover residents experience minimal scaling on appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and faucets, reducing maintenance needs and extending equipment life. Soap and detergents lather easily, requiring less product for cleaning clothes and dishes. No water softener is recommended, as the supply falls well within the soft range; instead, occasional flushing of hot water systems is advised to prevent sediment buildup. The town meets federal legal limits, though 3 contaminants exceed EPA health guidelines (MCLGs), prompting filter recommendations for vulnerable groups; PFAS presence is implied in tap water assessments.

Geology & Source: Lake Cochichewick watershed — Precambrian Merrimack Valley metamorphic rocks and Andover Granite; calcareous-poor crystalline bedrock yields soft to moderately hard supply in Essex County

Other Massachusetts Water Reports

Lawrence

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Methuen

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Haverhill

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Salem

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Andover's water safe to drink?

Yes. North Andover's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in North Andover?

North Andover's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does North Andover compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. North Andover (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for North Andover is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.