Hardest Water in Massachusetts
21 cities ranked by water hardness. Springfield tops the list at 51 PPM.
Massachusetts's water hardness varies significantly by city and water source. The state average across our database is 19 PPM, which is relatively soft. Most homes do not need a water softener. 0% of cities we track in Massachusetts have hardness above 120 PPM.
Gloucester has the softest water at just 8 PPM. No softener is needed.
| # | City | PPM | GPG | Level | Softener? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springfield | 51 | 3 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 2 | Worcester | 38 | 2.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 3 | Marlborough | 30 | 1.8 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 4 | Brockton | 22 | 1.3 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 5 | Lowell | 20 | 1.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 6 | Fall River | 20 | 1.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 7 | Plymouth | 20 | 1.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 8 | New Bedford | 18 | 1.1 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 9 | Lynn | 16 | 0.9 | Soft | No |
| 10 | Boston | 15 | 0.9 | Soft | No |
| 11 | Cambridge | 15 | 0.9 | Soft | No |
| 12 | Lawrence | 15 | 0.9 | Soft | No |
| 13 | Methuen | 15 | 0.9 | Soft | No |
| 14 | Quincy | 14 | 0.8 | Soft | No |
| 15 | Somerville | 14 | 0.8 | Soft | No |
| 16 | Newton | 13 | 0.8 | Soft | No |
| 17 | Everett | 12 | 0.7 | Soft | No |
| 18 | Pittsfield | 12 | 0.7 | Soft | No |
| 19 | Medford | 12 | 0.7 | Soft | No |
| 20 | Amherst | 10 | 0.6 | Soft | No |
| 21 | Gloucester | 8 | 0.5 | Soft | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average water hardness in Massachusetts?
Across 21 cities in our database, the average water hardness in Massachusetts is 19 PPM (1.1 GPG). This ranges from 8 PPM in Gloucester to 51 PPM in Springfield.
Do I need a water softener in Massachusetts?
It depends on your city. 0% of Massachusetts cities in our database (0 of 21) have hardness above 120 PPM where a softener provides measurable benefit. Check your specific city above.
Which Massachusetts city has the softest water?
Gloucester has the softest water in Massachusetts at 8 PPM (0.5 GPG). No water softener is needed at this level.
What causes hard water in Massachusetts?
Hard water in Massachusetts is caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium from the local geology. Most of the state has favorable geology with granite, metamorphic, or volcanic rock that contributes minimal dissolved minerals.