Water hardness in Malden
0.8 gpg soft
Tap water in Malden is soft: 0.8 gpg (13 mg/L · 0.7 °dH · 1.3 °fH).
Source: MWRA 2025 drinking water quality summary (Metro Boston) (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 11–16 mg/L.
Malden buys water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. The MWRA 2025 summary for the Metro Boston area reports an average of 13.1 mg/L (0.8 gpg), with a range of 11 to 15.6 mg/L, which is very soft. The MWRA page does not name Malden, so we assume the city is in that zone, and the confidence is lower than for other pages. Limescale is rarely an issue at this level, and a softener adds little.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 0.8 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Malden DPW water division (MWRA wholesale supply) |
How Malden compares
- Tap water in Malden is 92 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1351 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 1 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Massachusetts it is number 10 of 13 cities; the regional median is 1.9 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Cambridge, 7 km away (4.2 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Malden
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Malden water hard or soft?
It is soft: 13 mg/L as CaCO₃ (0.8 gpg, 0.7 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Malden safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Malden water?
0.8 gpg, equal to 0.7 °dH, 1.3 °fH or 13 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Malden?
For 13 mg/L (0.7 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Malden?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: MWRA 2025 drinking water quality summary (Metro Boston) (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. MWRA 2025 drinking water quality summary (Metro Boston) · Outdated figure? Tell us