Is Medford, MA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Medford tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: lead at 15.5 ppb (above the EPA action level of 15 ppb). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Medford Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Medford Compares
Medford'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 #19 of 21 cities (37% below the state average of 19 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), Medford ranks #258 of 258 for hardness.
What Medford's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 12 PPM - Low Concern
Medford'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. Medford is softer than 99% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment in Medford, contaminant filtration is the place to invest.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead is the main concern here. At 15.5 ppb, Medford's average is well above the health guideline of zero — there is no safe level of lead, especially for children. Lead typically enters your water from old pipes, not the source itself. Quick fix: run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking. Better fix: a certified lead-reduction filter (NSF/ANSI Standard 53) at your kitchen faucet. If your home was built before 1986, testing is strongly recommended.
What's in the Treatment Process
Medford'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 | 15.5 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.5 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.13 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Medford
Lead at 15.5 ppb exceeds the 15 ppb action level. A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.5 mg/L chlorine, many Medford 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 Medford
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so Medford's city-wide average of 15.5 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 Medford's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Medford's Water Supply
Water Utility: MWRA via Medford
Water Source: MWRA (Quabbin) (Surface Water)
Population Served: 61,700
Hardness: 12 PPM (0.7 grains per gallon)
Medford's drinking water comes from surface sources — MWRA (Quabbin). 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 62,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request MWRA via Medford'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 Medford in Medford, MA, including ZIP codes:
01730, 01801, 01803, 01805, 01813, 01815, 01867, 01880, 01888, 01890, 02153, 02155, 02156, 02180, 02420, 02421, 02474, 02475, 02476
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Medford to Other Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Medford Water
Is Medford tap water safe to drink?
Where does Medford's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Medford?
What water filter is best for Medford?
Is Medford water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Medford's water?
Why does Medford water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Medford 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 Medford Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 12 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Medford's water data.