Is Everett, MA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Everett tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 12 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Everett Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Everett Compares
Everett's water is 91% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 99% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #17 of 21 cities (37% below the state average of 19 PPM). Among smaller cities, Everett ranks #283 of 288 for hardness.
What Everett's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 12 PPM - Low Concern
Everett's water is soft at just 12 PPM. That's good news for your plumbing, appliances, and skin. Scale buildup is a non-issue here, and a water softener would be a waste of money. Everett is softer than 99% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment in Everett, contaminant filtration is the place to invest.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead levels deserve attention. At 5.7 ppb, Everett is above the ideal of zero, though below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb in November 2027 under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). The lead typically comes from aging service lines or interior plumbing, not the treatment plant. A point-of-use filter certified for lead at the kitchen faucet is a practical safeguard, especially in older homes.
What's in the Treatment Process
Everett's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 17.2 ppb (22% of the legal limit, but 115x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 14.7 ppb (25% of the legal limit, but 147x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 12 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 28 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 5.7 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.5 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.141 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.5 mg/L chlorine, many Everett residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Everett
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so Everett's city-wide average of 5.7 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.
Free option: Request MWRA via City of Everett's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
City averages miss neighborhood-level variation. Share your results to help your neighbors get better data.
We review every submission before publishing. Your ZIP is shown; your identity is not.
About Everett's Water Supply
Water Utility: MWRA via City of Everett
Water Source: MWRA (Quabbin/Wachusett) (Surface Water)
Population Served: 49,075
Hardness: 12 PPM (0.7 grains per gallon)
Everett's drinking water comes from surface sources — MWRA (Quabbin/Wachusett). Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 49,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request MWRA via City of Everett's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by MWRA via City of Everett in Everett, MA, including ZIP codes:
02148, 02149, 02150, 02151, 02152, 02176
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Everett to Other Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Everett Water
Is Everett tap water safe to drink?
Where does Everett's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Everett?
What water filter is best for Everett?
Is Everett water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Everett's water?
Why does Everett water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Everett tap water straight from the faucet?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Everett Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 12 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Everett's water data.