Wellesley Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
137.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 Wellesley, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Wellesley | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Wellesley compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wellesley, Massachusetts | 67 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Natick, Massachusetts | 91 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Needham, Massachusetts | 93.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Newton, Massachusetts | 103 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Wayland, Massachusetts | 63.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Wellesley compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wellesley | 67 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Wellesley's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Wellesley, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County — a major west Boston affluent suburban community (Wellesley is one of the most affluent and educationally distinguished towns in New England — home of Wellesley College (one of the most prestigious women's liberal arts colleges in the United States — one of the 'Seven Sisters'; Wellesley College is consistently ranked one of the top colleges in the country; its alumnae include Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and Nora Ephron); Wellesley is also home of Babson College (one of the most prestigious business-focused colleges in the United States — Babson College is consistently ranked the top entrepreneurship program in the US) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Wellesley Hills commuter rail stations (one of the most important Boston commuter rail stops on the Worcester Line)), home of the Wellesley Free Library (one of the most highly regarded public library systems in Massachusetts), a diverse Norfolk County community with a primarily highly educated professional, Jewish-American, and old-money Boston suburban family population, adjacent to Newton and Natick — draws its municipal water supply via the Town of Wellesley Water Division. Water hardness in Wellesley measures 67 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Wellesley's moderate softness reflects the west Boston Norfolk County Charles River watershed's calcareous-poor crystalline geology. The Sudbury Reservoir watershed at Wellesley drains the Precambrian Dedham Granite (calcareous-poor). Wellesley Water Division produces the moderately soft 67 mg/L.
With hardness at 67 mg/L, Wellesley residents enjoy moderately soft water. Town of Wellesley Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Massachusetts DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Sudbury Reservoir (Charles River watershed) via the Town of Wellesley Water Division (MWRA assisted) — the Norfolk County west Boston suburban Wellesley corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor Dedham Granite and Precambrian calcareous-poor Milford Pink Granite — the extremely calcareous-poor west Boston Norfolk County crystalline watershed; excellent treatment); moderately soft supply at 67 mg/L in Norfolk County.