Is Massachusetts Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 21 cities across Massachusetts. Find your city below.
Water quality in Massachusetts varies significantly from city to city. Across 21 cities we track, hardness ranges from 8 PPM in Gloucester to 51 PPM in Springfield, with a statewide average of 19 PPM. Most cities in Massachusetts have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
3 Massachusetts cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Lowell (12.5 ppt), Lynn (21.97 ppt), Cambridge (11.4 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete Massachusetts Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in Massachusetts
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
Massachusetts cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Treatment Guides
Sized recommendations based on each city's specific water data.
City Comparisons
Springfield vs Gloucester
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Springfield vs Worcester
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Worcester vs Marlborough
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
More for Massachusetts
Moving to BostonMassachusetts Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 51 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Cobble Mountain Reservoir |
| Worcester | 38 | Slightly Hard | 3.2 | Wachusett Reservoir |
| Marlborough | 30 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Local wells + Sudbury |
| Brockton | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Silver Lake & Brockton Reservoir |
| Lowell | 20 | Slightly Hard | 12.5 | Merrimack River |
| Fall River | 20 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Watuppa Ponds |
| Plymouth | 20 | Slightly Hard | 7.1 | Local wells |
| New Bedford | 18 | Slightly Hard | 7 | Quittacas Ponds & local reservoirs |
| Lynn | 16 | Soft | 21.97 | Walden Pond & local reservoirs |
| Boston | 15 | Soft | 0 | Quabbin + Wachusett Reservoirs |
| Cambridge | 15 | Soft | 11.4 | Fresh Pond & MWRA reserves |
| Lawrence | 15 | Soft | 6.1 | Merrimack River |
| Methuen | 15 | Soft | 11.5 | Merrimack River |
| Quincy | 14 | Soft | 0 | Blue Hills Reservoir & MWRA |
| Somerville | 14 | Soft | 0 | MWRA Quabbin & Wachusett Reservoirs |
| Newton | 13 | Soft | 0 | MWRA Quabbin & Wachusett Reservoirs |
| Everett | 12 | Soft | 0 | MWRA (Quabbin/Wachusett) |
| Pittsfield | 12 | Soft | 0 | Ashley Lake + Farnham Reservoir |
| Medford | 12 | Soft | 0 | MWRA (Quabbin) |
| Amherst | 10 | Soft | 0 | Atkins Reservoir |
| Gloucester | 8 | Soft | 0 | Babson Reservoir |