How does Norwell's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Norwell (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Norwell Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

6.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

118 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 Norwell, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Norwell	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Norwell compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Norwell, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	170.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Hanover, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	113.3 ppt	🟢 Soft	mixed
Hanson, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	14.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Rockland, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	398 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Weymouth, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	3.1 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Norwell compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Norwell	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Norwell's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 118 mg/LpH: 6.2

The Norwell Water Department provides drinking water to about 11,374 residents in Norwell, Massachusetts. All of the town's water comes from groundwater sources, managed by the department from its offices at 345 Main Street. The Norwell water supply taps into the Massachusetts coastal plain aquifer system. This system is underlain by layers of Quaternary glacial deposits and Precambrian metamorphic bedrock, a geological makeup common in southeastern Massachusetts.

The region's groundwater is naturally hard because minerals like calcium and magnesium dissolve from the glacial till and the bedrock beneath. This same groundwater also tends to be corrosive, meaning it has a low pH and aggressive water chemistry. These traits are typical for aquifers found in New England's crystalline bedrock.

This hard water can lead to scale buildup in appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, reducing their efficiency. You might also notice soap scum in bathrooms and laundry rooms. For homeowners looking to protect their plumbing and appliances from the effects of this hard water, installing a water softener is often a good idea. While Norwell meets all federal drinking water standards, the untreated groundwater can contain common New England contaminants such as lead, arsenic, nitrate, and nitrite, and its corrosive nature means treatment is essential to prevent metals from dissolving into the water from pipes.

Geology & Source: Massachusetts coastal plain aquifer system; Quaternary glacial deposits over Precambrian bedrock; dissolution of calcium and magnesium minerals produces hard water; low pH

Other Massachusetts Water Reports

Hanover

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Hanson

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Rockland

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Weymouth

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Norwell's water safe to drink?

Yes. Norwell's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Norwell?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Norwell's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Norwell compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Norwell (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 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 Norwell 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.