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Tewksbury Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

6.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

523 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 Tewksbury, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn TewksburySoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Tewksbury compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Tewksbury, Massachusetts≈ 120–179 mg/L28 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Billerica, Massachusetts≈ 120–179 mg/L62.2 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Lowell, Massachusetts≈ 0–60 mg/L12.5 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Wilmington, Massachusetts≈ 0–60 mg/L19.7 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Dracut, Massachusetts≈ 0–60 mg/L39.4 ppt🟢 Softreservoir

National Benchmark

How Tewksbury compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Tewksbury≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Tewksbury's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 523 mg/LpH: 6.7

Tewksbury Water Department serves approximately 30,730 residents in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, located in Middlesex County. The utility purchases surface water treated via conventional methods including chlorination and chloramination at facilities associated with regional suppliers. The mailing address is 121 Glen Road, Wilmington, MA 01887, reachable at 978-658-4711. Sources draw primarily from the Merrimack River watershed, with potential groundwater components from private wells; the supply undergoes conventional filtration and disinfection meeting state and federal standards, with annual Consumer Confidence Reports published for residents.

The supply originates from the Merrimack River watershed, encompassing glacial till and metamorphic rock formations such as those in the Nashoba terrane from Paleozoic eras. Local aquifers include stratified drift deposits overlying bedrock, imparting a moderately mineralised character due to calcium and magnesium leaching from sedimentary and igneous layers. Eastern coastal geology with ample precipitation yields less aggressive mineral content compared to inland areas, shaping a balanced but firm water profile.

Moderately hard water promotes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Plumbing fixtures, faucets, and showerheads may clog, while soap scum affects cleaning. Regular deliming every 1–2 years and installing a water softener is recommended for households noticing spotting on glassware or dry skin. The utility reports 4 contaminants above EPA health-based guidelines and 1 MCL violation, with TTHM levels rising in summer; finished water stays below the PFAS MCL of 20 ng/L.

Geology & Source: Merrimack River watershed, Middlesex County; Carboniferous glacial deposits and metasediments — Worcester Phyllite and Boston Basin formations — dissolve calcium and magnesium; moderately hard supply

Other Massachusetts Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tewksbury's water safe to drink?
Yes. Tewksbury'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 Tewksbury?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Tewksbury'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 Tewksbury compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Tewksbury (≈ 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 Tewksbury 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

pH

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.