Tewksbury Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · 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
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.
| Appliance | In Tewksbury | 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 Tewksbury compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Tewksbury, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 28 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Billerica, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 62.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lowell, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 12.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Wilmington, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 19.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Dracut, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 39.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Tewksbury compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Tewksbury | ≈ 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 Tewksbury's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
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?
Do I need a water softener in Tewksbury?
How does Tewksbury compare to the USA average?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.