Westwood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
211.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.24
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 Westwood, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Westwood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -22% |
| Washing Machine | 10.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -15% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Westwood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Westwood, Massachusetts | 91 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Norwood, Massachusetts | 23.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Dedham, Massachusetts | 90.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Needham, Massachusetts | 93.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Canton, Massachusetts | 96 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Westwood compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Westwood | 91 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Westwood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Westwood, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County — a Norfolk County town adjacent to Norwood and Walpole in eastern Massachusetts — receives its water from the Westwood Water Department, drawing from the Neponset River watershed reservoir (Norfolk County) through the eastern Massachusetts distribution.
The moderately hard 91 mg/L hardness and TDS of 211.1 mg/L are harder than the typical eastern Massachusetts granite reservoir communities — reflecting the Westwood watershed's position drawing from the mixed Precambrian granitic and glacial till watershed with slightly more calcareous till and organic contribution typical of the Norfolk County zone. The Westwood watershed drains the Eastern New England Upland — Precambrian Dedham Granite (insoluble — dilutant), Cambrian calcareous formations (slightly calcareous — minor contributor), and Pleistocene calcareous glacial till (calcareous — primary hardness contributor).
At 91 mg/L, Westwood's water is moderately hard — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 9.4 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Norfolk County eastern Massachusetts PFAS legacy from Superfund industrial sites and Hanscom Air Force Base (Middlesex County — AFFF) contribute to Westwood's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Westwood in Norfolk County draws from the Westwood Water Department on the Neponset River watershed reservoir (Norfolk County, eastern Massachusetts) — the reservoir drains the Eastern New England Upland (Precambrian Dedham Granite — insoluble) — Massachusetts Norfolk County Eastern New England Upland Precambrian granite reservoir produces moderately hard water at 91 mg/L with TDS 211.1 mg/L.