Suffolk Downs Station Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
160.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.20
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 Suffolk Downs Station, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Suffolk Downs Station | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -16% |
| Washing Machine | 10.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -10% |
| Water Heater | 12.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -16% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Suffolk Downs Station compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Suffolk Downs Station, Massachusetts | 75 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Orient Heights, Massachusetts | 42 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Winthrop, Massachusetts | 119 mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Revere, Massachusetts | 18.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Chelsea, Massachusetts | 123.5 mg/L | 11.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Suffolk Downs Station compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Suffolk Downs Station | 75 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Suffolk Downs Station's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Suffolk Downs Station, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County — a Suffolk County (Boston) neighborhood adjacent to East Boston and Revere near Suffolk Downs (East Boston) — receives its water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), drawing from the Quabbin Reservoir and Wachusett Reservoir (central Massachusetts) through the Boston metro distribution.
The soft 75 mg/L hardness and TDS of 160.6 mg/L are slightly harder than the Roxbury Crossing MWRA Boston supply (49.5 mg/L) — reflecting Suffolk Downs Station's East Boston position, possibly with slightly more local groundwater or coastal groundwater influence than the inner Boston neighborhoods. The Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs drain the same central Massachusetts crystalline basement — Precambrian Ware Schist (insoluble), Ordovician Brimfield Schist (insoluble), and local East Boston coastal influence (slightly calcareous from marine coastal deposits).
At 75 mg/L, Suffolk Downs Station's water is soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.3 ppt is elevated — Hanscom Air Force Base (Middlesex County — AFFF), South Weymouth Naval Air Station (Norfolk County — AFFF), and the East Boston-Logan Airport AFFF (Boston Logan International Airport — major PFAS source directly at East Boston) contribute to Suffolk Downs Station's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Suffolk Downs Station in Suffolk County draws from the MWRA on the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs (Suffolk County, Boston) — the Quabbin-Wachusett drains Precambrian and Ordovician central Massachusetts granite and gneiss (insoluble) — Massachusetts Suffolk County MWRA Quabbin-Wachusett crystalline watershed produces soft water at 75 mg/L with TDS 160.6 mg/L in this Boston Suffolk County community.