Hardness
Soft
44.1 PPM · 2.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Melrose, MA 02176
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Middlesex County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Melrose Water Division (mwra)
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Middlesex 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
0.0102 mg/L
68% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 29,938 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
44.1 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
44.1
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
2.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 44.1 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
104
Nearest site
2.8 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: SAUGUS RIVER AT SAUGUS IRONWORKS AT SAUGUS, MA (Tidal stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 02176 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Melrose median
44 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 44.1–44.1 PPM
Massachusetts median
49 PPM
5 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)
0.0102 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
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 0.0102
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 | MA3178000 | Addressed | Nov 1, 2021 |
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 Melrose ZIP 02176 using 44.1 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.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Melrose
Is tap water safe in Melrose?+
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 44.1 PPM, or 2.6 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.