Norwell Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
1.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
35.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.06
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 Norwell, your appliances are currently losing 3% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Norwell | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | — |
| Washing Machine | 12.7 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -2% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Norwell compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Norwell, Massachusetts | 23 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Hanover, Massachusetts | 49.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Hanson, Massachusetts | 49 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Rockland, Massachusetts | 40 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Weymouth, Massachusetts | 91.5 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Norwell compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Norwell | 23 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Norwell's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Norwell, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County — a Plymouth County town adjacent to Scituate and Hanover on the North River in east Massachusetts — receives its water from the Norwell Water Department, drawing from the Second Herring Brook watershed reservoirs through the east Massachusetts distribution.
The very soft 23 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 35.8 mg/L reflect the Plymouth County supply's very soft coastal plain character — the Precambrian Scituate Formation and Cretaceous Plymouth Coastal Plain are largely insoluble metamorphic and sandy formations contributing negligible dissolved mineral content to the shallow Plymouth County watershed (compare Scituate MA: 21/32 in Plymouth County comparable; Hanover MA: 24/38 in Plymouth County comparable; Norwell consistent very soft from the same Plymouth County Second Herring Brook Precambrian insoluble supply). The Second Herring Brook watershed — Precambrian Scituate Formation (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cretaceous Plymouth Coastal Plain (insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Quaternary Plymouth County glacial till (slightly calcareous — minimal TDS).
At 23 mg/L with TDS 36, Norwell's water is very soft — virtually no scale buildup. Very soft water can be mildly corrosive — monitor for copper staining. The PFAS level of 4.7 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the Norwell Water Department's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Norwell in Plymouth County draws from the Norwell Water on the Second Herring Brook watershed (Plymouth County, east Massachusetts) — the Plymouth watershed draws from Precambrian Scituate Formation (insoluble) and Cretaceous Plymouth Coastal Plain (insoluble) — Massachusetts Plymouth County Second Herring Brook Precambrian insoluble supply produces very soft water at 23 mg/L with TDS 35.8 mg/L.