Webster Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
130.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.17
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 Webster, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Webster | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -12% |
| Washing Machine | 11.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -7% |
| Water Heater | 13 yrs | 15 yrs | -13% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Webster compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Webster, Massachusetts | 64.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Dudley, Massachusetts | 109.5 mg/L | 10.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Charlton, Massachusetts | 121 mg/L | 11.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Auburn, Massachusetts | 87 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Southbridge, Massachusetts | 43.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Webster compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Webster | 64.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Webster's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Webster, Massachusetts, in Worcester County — a Worcester County town adjacent to Dudley and Oxford at the Connecticut border in south-central Massachusetts — receives its water from the Webster Water Department, drawing from Lake Chaubunagungamaug (historically famous as the world's longest lake name) through the south-central Massachusetts distribution.
The soft 64.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 130.4 mg/L reflect the Worcester County Lake Chaubunagungamaug supply's soft character — the Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss and Pennsylvanian Rhode Island Formation are both highly insoluble crystalline and metamorphic rocks contributing negligible dissolved minerals to the pristine south-central Massachusetts lake watershed (compare Dudley MA: 62/126 in Worcester County comparable; Oxford MA: 66/134 in Worcester County comparable; Webster consistent soft from the same Worcester County Lake Chaubunagungamaug Precambrian insoluble supply). The Quinebaug watershed — Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Pennsylvanian Rhode Island Formation (insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Quaternary glacial outwash (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 64.5 mg/L with TDS 130, Webster's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.6 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is recommended — the Worcester County Massachusetts industrial and defense legacy (Camp Devens area) contributes to Webster's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Webster in Worcester County draws from the Webster Water on Lake Chaubunagungamaug (Worcester County, south-central Massachusetts) — the Quinebaug watershed at Worcester County drains Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss (insoluble) and Pennsylvanian Rhode Island Formation (insoluble) — Massachusetts Worcester County Lake Chaubunagungamaug Precambrian insoluble supply produces soft water at 64.5 mg/L with TDS 130.4 mg/L.