Water softeners and filtration in Boston, MA

What does MWRA (for Boston Water and Sewer Commission) publish about Boston water?

Boston Water and Sewer Commission buys treated water from the MWRA, which draws it from the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs.

• The MWRA's July 2026 update describes hardness as about 15 to 20 mg/L, or about 1 grain per gallon.

What does 14.3 to 20 mg/L mean for a Boston home?

14.3 to 20 mg/L is about 0.8 to 1.2 grains per gallon. The low end, 14.3 mg/L, is 46 mg/L under the 60 mg/L top of the USGS soft class; Boston's high end, 20 mg/L, is 40 mg/L under the 60 mg/L top of the USGS soft class. (USGS hardness classes)

Which systems fit Boston water?

How does a Boston quote work?

1. Send a request from one of the 32 Boston ZIP codes listed below.
2. An assessment at your home, where your tap can be checked against MWRA (for Boston Water and Sewer Commission)'s published 14.3 to 20 mg/L.
3. You get a written quote listing what is included.
4. Installation and service by that company.

Common questions

How hard is the water in Boston?

Typical total hardness reported by MWRA (for Boston Water and Sewer Commission): Approximately 16 mg/L, or 1 grain per gallon (Undated web page). Total hardness, monthly reading reported by MWRA (for Boston Water and Sewer Commission): 14.3 mg/L at the Carroll Water Treatment Plant (July 2026 sampling).

Is Boston water hard or soft?

Soft. The low end, 14.3 mg/L, is 46 mg/L under the 60 mg/L top of the USGS soft class; Boston's high end, 20 mg/L, is 40 mg/L under the 60 mg/L top of the USGS soft class.

How many grains per gallon is Boston water?

The utility publishes hardness in mg/L, not grains. The published 14.3 to 20 mg/L is about 0.8 to 1.2 grains per gallon, converted by us at 17.1 mg/L per grain.

Where does Boston tap water come from?

Boston water comes from MWRA's Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs in central Massachusetts and is delivered by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Source: MWRA 2025 Annual Water Quality Test Results.

Does Boston water change over time?

MWRA says a chlorine smell is more likely in summer, when water is warmer, and that algae in its reservoirs can cause an earthy taste in spring and fall. Source: MWRA tap water FAQ.

Is Boston water treated with chlorine or chloramine?

MWRA, which supplies Boston, disinfects with monochloramine, a compound of chlorine and ammonia. Source: MWRA 2025 Annual Water Quality Test Results. That matters when choosing a filter for a Boston home: catalytic carbon is the activated-carbon type designed to adsorb chloramine (NDSU Extension, Filtration: Sediment, Activated Carbon, and Mixed Media). A softener leaves MWRA (for Boston Water and Sewer Commission)'s disinfectant in the water.

Do I need a water softener in Boston?

MWRA (for Boston Water and Sewer Commission) publishes 14.3 to 20 mg/L for Boston, which reads as soft. A test at your house shows whether your tap matches it.

Is the water the same in every Boston home?

2 published figures cover Boston, from 1 utility; which applies depends on where you live.

How much does a water softener cost in Boston?

We publish no prices for Boston. The installing company gives a written quote after an assessment at your home.

Who installs the system?

We have not named a local installing company for Boston yet. We will tell you the company's name and ask you before your request is shared with anyone.

Is Boston Water Systems part of the city or the water utility?

No. Boston Water Systems is not affiliated with MWRA (for Boston Water and Sewer Commission); it copies and links the published figures.

Is booking an assessment a purchase?

No, and a request commits you to nothing.

Which ZIP codes does this page cover?

02108, 02109, 02110, 02111, 02113, 02114, 02115, 02116, 02118, 02119, 02120, 02121, 02122, 02124, 02125, 02126, 02127, 02128, 02129, 02130, 02131, 02132, 02133, 02134, 02135, 02136, 02163, 02199, 02203, 02205, 02210, 02215

Compare published hardness in other cities on hard water by city.

Machine-readable facts: water.json. Summary for AI assistants: llms.txt.