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

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

Swampscott Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

175.5 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 Swampscott, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Swampscott	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 Swampscott compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Swampscott, Massachusetts	≈ 0–59 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Lynn, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	62.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
South Peabody, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	5.8 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Salem, Massachusetts	≈ 120–179 mg/L	17.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Peabody, Massachusetts	≈ 0–60 mg/L	143.3 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Swampscott compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Swampscott	≈ 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 Swampscott's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 175.5 mg/LpH: 7.6

The Swampscott Water Division supplies drinking water to about 15,000 residents in Essex County, Massachusetts. This utility receives fully treated surface water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)'s Carroll Water Treatment Plant located in Marlborough, MA. The water originates from the Quabbin Reservoir in the Ware River Watershed and the Wachusett Reservoir in the Nashua River Watershed. These large reservoirs are managed by the MWRA with strict land use protections in place for their watershed areas. The Swampscott Water Division is responsible for the local distribution of this treated water throughout the coastal town, serving residential, commercial, and municipal users along the North Shore.

The underlying geology of the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoir areas is characterized by hard metamorphic rocks, including Berkshire Gneiss and the Mount Holly Complex, dating back to the Proterozoic era. While there are some minor sedimentary layers, extensive carbonate aquifers are absent. Rainwater in this region passes through thin soils over granitic and schistose terrains. This geological makeup means the water naturally picks up very few minerals, resulting in a characteristically soft water profile that is low in dissolved calcium and magnesium. This soft water quality is maintained through the treatment processes.

Because the water is naturally soft, homeowners in Swampscott will find that scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines is minimal. You'll also notice that soap lathers easily, which can reduce the amount of detergent needed for laundry and dishes. Spotting on glassware and fixtures is typically not an issue. Standard cleaning should be sufficient for maintenance, without the need for harsh descaling agents. Installing a water softener is generally not recommended, as it could make the water excessively soft and potentially lead to corrosion in the plumbing system or leaching of metals. The MWRA water meets all EPA standards, with a pH typically between 8.5 and 9.5, and is treated with orthophosphate to comply with lead and copper rules.

Geology & Source: Metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Appalachian region; lack of limestone/dolomite produces soft water

Other Massachusetts Water Reports

Lynn

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

South Peabody

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Salem

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Peabody

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Swampscott's water safe to drink?

Yes. Swampscott'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 Swampscott?

Swampscott'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 Swampscott compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Swampscott (≈ 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 Swampscott 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.