Winter Hill Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
311.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Winter Hill, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Winter Hill | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Winter Hill compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Winter Hill, Massachusetts | 118.5 mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Somerville, Massachusetts | 29.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Union Square, Massachusetts | 79 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cambridge, Massachusetts | 86 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Medford, Massachusetts | 34.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Winter Hill compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Winter Hill | 118.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Winter Hill's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Winter Hill, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County neighborhood of Somerville adjacent to Cambridge and Medford in the north Boston metro — receives its water from the MWRA, drawing from Quabbin Reservoir or Wachusett Reservoir (Middlesex County) through the north Boston metro distribution.
The moderately hard 118.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 311.7 mg/L are harder than expected for the MWRA Quabbin supply (typically ~40-60 mg/L) — reflecting Winter Hill's Somerville draw where the MWRA distribution residence time and the Middlesex County local groundwater blending contacts contribute significantly elevated hardness and TDS over the pure Quabbin supply (compare East Cambridge MA: 102/259 in the same metro MWRA zone; Mid-Cambridge MA: 97/239; Winter Hill at the harder end of the Somerville distribution). The Quabbin-Wachusett system at Middlesex County — Precambrian Quabbin Granodiorite (insoluble — primary dilutant from reservoir), Quaternary Middlesex County drift (calcareous — primary hardness contributor from local blending), and Devonian Pelham Gneiss (insoluble — secondary dilutant).
At 118.5 mg/L with TDS 312, Winter Hill's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 11.4 ppt is very high — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended — the Middlesex County north Boston industrial and military corridor contribute to Winter Hill's very elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Winter Hill in Middlesex County draws from the MWRA on Quabbin Reservoir or Wachusett Reservoir (Middlesex County, north Boston metro, Massachusetts) — the Quabbin-Wachusett watershed drains Precambrian Quabbin Granodiorite (insoluble) and Devonian Pelham Gneiss (insoluble) — Massachusetts Middlesex County MWRA Quabbin-Wachusett Precambrian-Devonian insoluble supply produces moderately hard water at 118.5 mg/L with TDS 311.7 mg/L.