Is Plymouth, MA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Plymouth tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 20 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Plymouth Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Plymouth Compares
Plymouth's water is 86% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 93% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #7 of 21 cities (5% above the state average of 19 PPM). Among smaller cities, Plymouth ranks #260 of 288 for hardness.
What Plymouth's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 20 PPM - Low Concern
Plymouth's water is slightly hard at 20 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Plymouth is softer than 93% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Plymouth's water has TTHMs at 15 ppb and HAA5 at 0.508 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
Even though Plymouth draws from groundwater, the treatment process still generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 15 ppb and HAA5 at 0.508 ppb. Groundwater typically needs less treatment than surface water, but when organic compounds are present in the aquifer, chlorination creates the same byproducts. All levels are within legal limits, though above the stricter EWG health guidelines.
Chromium-6 is naturally present in Plymouth's aquifer geology at 0.148 ppb — 7.4x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. 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) | 20 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 38 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 7.1 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 2.5 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.2 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.555 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Good news for Plymouth 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 1.2 mg/L chlorine, many Plymouth 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 Plymouth
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 Town of Plymouth Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Plymouth's Water Supply
Water Utility: Town of Plymouth Water
Water Source: Local wells (Groundwater)
Population Served: 46,799
Hardness: 20 PPM (1.2 grains per gallon)
Plymouth draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Local wells. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 47,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Town of Plymouth 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 Town of Plymouth Water in Plymouth, MA, including ZIP codes:
02020, 02041, 02047, 02050, 02065, 02330, 02331, 02332, 02344, 02345, 02346, 02349, 02355, 02360, 02361, 02362, 02364, 02366, 02367, 02381, 02532, 02537, 02538, 02542, 02553, 02558, 02559, 02561, 02562, 02563, 02571, 02576, 02601, 02630, 02631, 02632, 02633, 02634, 02635, 02637, 02638, 02639, 02641, 02642, 02643, 02644, 02645, 02646, 02647, 02648, 02649, 02650, 02651, 02652, 02653, 02655, 02657, 02659, 02660, 02661, 02662, 02663, 02664, 02666, 02667, 02668, 02669, 02670, 02671, 02672, 02673, 02675, 09813
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Plymouth to Other Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Plymouth Water
Is Plymouth tap water safe to drink?
Where does Plymouth's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Plymouth?
What are disinfection byproducts in Plymouth's water?
Is chromium-6 in Plymouth's water?
Why does Plymouth water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Plymouth tap water straight from the faucet?
What water filter is best for Plymouth?
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 Plymouth Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 20 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Plymouth's water data.