Hardness
Soft
42.8 PPM · 2.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Boston, MA 02119
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Suffolk County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Boston Water And Sewer Commission (mwra)
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Suffolk County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.0058 mg/L
39% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 675,647 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
42.8 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
42.8
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
2.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 42.8 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
107
Nearest site
9 mi
Observation range
Jan 4, 2016–Jun 8, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: MONATIQUOT RIVER AT EAST BRAINTREE, MA (Tidal stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 02119 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Boston median
43 PPM
About the same2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 42.8–43.2 PPM
Massachusetts median
49 PPM
6 PPM lower328 indexed ZIP readings · Range 24.3–128 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.0058 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2026
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0058
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 1
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | MA3035000 | Addressed | Nov 1, 2020 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Boston ZIP 02119 using 42.8 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Lead and Copper Rule has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Boston
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Boston
Is tap water safe in Boston?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 42.8 PPM, or 2.5 grains per gallon, classified as soft. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.