Union Square Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
172.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.21
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 Union Square, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Union Square | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -18% |
| Washing Machine | 10.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -11% |
| Water Heater | 12.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -17% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Union Square compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Union Square, Massachusetts | 79 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Somerville, Massachusetts | 29.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Cambridge, Massachusetts | 86 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Mid-Cambridge, Massachusetts | 79 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Winter Hill, Massachusetts | 118.5 mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Union Square compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Union Square | 79 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Union Square's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Union Square, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County neighborhood of Somerville adjacent to Cambridge and Medford in the Boston metro — receives its water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) via the Cambridge or Somerville distribution, drawing from the Wachusett and Quabbin reservoirs (Middlesex County) through the Boston metro distribution.
The soft 79 mg/L hardness and TDS of 172.8 mg/L reflect the Boston metro MWRA Wachusett and Quabbin reservoir supply's predominantly insoluble New England crystalline character — consistent with other MWRA Boston metro communities (Cambridge: ~75 mg/L; Somerville: ~78 mg/L). The MWRA Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoir watershed drains the New England Upland — Precambrian Monson Gneiss (insoluble — primary supply), Precambrian Grafton Gneiss (insoluble), and minor Triassic Hartford Basin (calcareous — minor hardness contributor at the Wachusett fringe). The insoluble New England granite produces the soft Boston metro supply.
At 79 mg/L, Union Square'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 8.6 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Hanscom Air Force Base (Middlesex County — AFFF), South Weymouth Naval Air Station (Plymouth County — AFFF), and the Boston metro PFAS industrial corridor contribute to Union Square's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Union Square in Middlesex County draws from the Cambridge Water Department or MWRA on Spot Pond and Fells Reservoir (Middlesex County, east Massachusetts) — the MWRA Wachusett and Quabbin reservoirs drain the New England Upland (Precambrian Monson Gneiss — insoluble) — Massachusetts Middlesex County MWRA Wachusett-Quabbin New England crystalline watershed produces soft water at 79 mg/L with TDS 172.8 mg/L.