North Reading Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
323.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 North Reading, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Reading | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Reading compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Reading, Massachusetts | 121.5 mg/L | 11.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Reading, Massachusetts | 20.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Wakefield, Massachusetts | 47.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Stoneham, Massachusetts | 65.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Wilmington, Massachusetts | 112.5 mg/L | 10.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How North Reading compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Reading | 121.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Reading's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Reading, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County town adjacent to Reading and Wilmington in northeast Massachusetts — receives its water from the North Reading Water Department, drawing from local reservoirs or the Ipswich River watershed (Middlesex County) through the northeast Massachusetts distribution.
The moderately hard 121.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 323.5 mg/L are harder than the typical northeast Massachusetts granite supplies, and TDS is elevated relative to hardness — reflecting potential PFAS contamination and the Ipswich River watershed's mixed glacial drift and organic-rich Middlesex County soil contribution to dissolved solids. The North Reading watershed drains the Eastern New England Upland — Precambrian Dedham Granite (insoluble — dilutant), Precambrian Milford Granite (insoluble), Cambrian calcareous formations (slightly calcareous — minor hardness contributor), and Pleistocene calcareous glacial till (calcareous — primary hardness contributor).
At 121.5 mg/L, North Reading's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 11.6 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Middlesex County northeast Massachusetts PFAS legacy from industrial sites and Hanscom Air Force Base (Middlesex County — AFFF) contribute significantly to North Reading's very elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: North Reading in Middlesex County draws from the North Reading Water Department on local reservoirs or the Ipswich River watershed (Middlesex County, northeast Massachusetts) — the watershed drains the Eastern New England Upland (Precambrian Dedham Granite — insoluble) — Massachusetts Middlesex County Ipswich-Eastern New England Precambrian granite reservoir produces moderately hard water at 121.5 mg/L with TDS 323.5 mg/L.