Is Gloucester, MA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Gloucester tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 8 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Gloucester Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Gloucester Compares
Gloucester's water is 94% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 100% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #21 of 21 cities (58% below the state average of 19 PPM). Among smaller cities, Gloucester ranks #288 of 288 for hardness.
What Gloucester's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 8 PPM - Low Concern
Gloucester's water is soft at just 8 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. Gloucester is softer than 100% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment in Gloucester, contaminant filtration is the place to invest.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Gloucester's water has TTHMs at 39.1 ppb and HAA5 at 33 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Gloucester's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 39.1 ppb (49% of the legal limit, but 260x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 33 ppb (55% of the legal limit, but 330x 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.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0531 ppb, which is 2.7x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. 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) | 8 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 20 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 | 3 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.0757 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Good news for Gloucester residents. Your water quality is generally good. Most homes in this area do not need a water softener. If you have concerns about lead (especially in buildings constructed before 1986) or chlorine taste, a point-of-use filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1 mg/L chlorine, many Gloucester 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 Gloucester
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Gloucester Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Gloucester's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Gloucester Water
Water Source: Babson Reservoir (Surface Water)
Population Served: 37,440
Hardness: 8 PPM (0.5 grains per gallon)
Gloucester's drinking water comes from surface sources — Babson Reservoir. 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 37,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Gloucester Water'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 City of Gloucester Water in Gloucester, MA, including ZIP codes:
01929, 01930, 01931, 01936, 01938, 01944, 01951, 01961, 01965, 01966, 01971, 01982
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Gloucester to Other Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Gloucester Water
Is Gloucester tap water safe to drink?
Where does Gloucester's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Gloucester?
What are disinfection byproducts in Gloucester's water?
Is chromium-6 in Gloucester's water?
Why does Gloucester water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Gloucester tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Gloucester compare to the Massachusetts average?
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 Gloucester Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 8 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Gloucester's water data.