Woburn Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
319.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Woburn, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Woburn | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Woburn compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Woburn, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 49.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Winchester, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Burlington, Massachusetts | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 18.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Stoneham, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Arlington, Massachusetts | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Woburn compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Woburn | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Woburn's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Woburn, Massachusetts receives its drinking water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), which draws surface water from reservoirs in central and western Massachusetts. Woburn supplements this regional supply with locally sourced groundwater, processed at the Horn Pond Water Treatment Plant (WTP) before distribution. The utility serves residential and commercial customers in Middlesex County as part of the greater Boston metropolitan area, with monthly testing and comprehensive annual water quality reports ensuring compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.
Woburn's water supply drains through Precambrian metamorphic bedrock and glacial deposits typical of New England. The local groundwater component comes from aquifers in glacial till and fractured bedrock. As water moves through soil and rock in the watershed, it dissolves calcium and magnesium minerals, resulting in a moderately hard supply. The combination of the MWRA's naturally soft reservoir water and Woburn's moderately mineralized local groundwater shapes the overall water chemistry profile.
Moderately hard water in Woburn can cause scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and appliances over time. Residents may notice mineral staining on fixtures, particularly in showers and bathtubs. Hot water heaters are especially vulnerable to scale, reducing efficiency and shortening equipment lifespan. Periodic descaling and regular appliance maintenance can mitigate hardness-related wear; a point-of-use water softener is an option for households with aesthetic or performance concerns, though for most residents treatment remains a matter of personal preference. The 2024 water quality report confirms a pH of 8.5 and lead levels (90th percentile 1.07 ppb) well below the 15 ppb action level; the PFAS6 six-year average is 17.4 ppt, below MassDEP's 20 ppt standard, with seasonal fluctuations in 2025 prompting free water bottle filling stations and rebate programs for sensitive populations.
Geology & Source: MWRA reservoirs in central/western Massachusetts plus local groundwater; Precambrian metamorphic bedrock and glacial till — dissolved calcium and magnesium yield moderate hardness
Other Massachusetts Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Woburn's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Woburn?
How does Woburn compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Woburn is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.