Winthrop Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
313.4 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 Winthrop, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Winthrop | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Winthrop compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Winthrop, Massachusetts | 119 mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Suffolk Downs Station, Massachusetts | 75 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Orient Heights, Massachusetts | 42 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Revere, Massachusetts | 18.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Chelsea, Massachusetts | 123.5 mg/L | 11.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Winthrop compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Winthrop | 119 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Winthrop's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Winthrop, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County — a Suffolk County town adjacent to East Boston and Revere on the Winthrop Peninsula (Winthrop Harbor, Boston Harbor), the closest Massachusetts mainland community to Logan International Airport — receives its municipal water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), drawing from the Quabbin Reservoir and Wachusett Reservoir (central Massachusetts) through the MWRA distribution system.
The moderately hard 119 mg/L hardness and TDS of 313.4 mg/L are harder than expected for the MWRA Quabbin supply (most MWRA communities: 40-80 mg/L), suggesting Winthrop may receive a blended supply with a harder local component, or the coastal Winthrop Peninsula water mains have significant mineral leaching from the distribution infrastructure in this old coastal community. The MWRA Quabbin supply drains the Central Massachusetts Upland — Precambrian Ware Gneiss (insoluble) — which is inherently very soft.
At 119 mg/L, Winthrop'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 elevated and warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Logan International Airport (East Boston — AFFF, the primary PFAS source in Winthrop Harbor), the Suffolk Downs former racetrack industrial site, and the Boston Harbor coastal military PFAS complex produce Winthrop's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Winthrop in Suffolk County draws from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority on the Quabbin Reservoir (Quabbin-Wachusett system, central Massachusetts) — the Quabbin drains the Central Massachusetts Upland (Precambrian Ware Gneiss, Devonian Millers River schist) — Massachusetts MWRA Quabbin Precambrian crystalline watershed produces moderately hard water at 119 mg/L with TDS 313.4 mg/L in this Suffolk County Massachusetts town.