Hardness
Soft
26 PPM · 1.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Nicholson, GA 30565
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Jackson County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Nicholson Water Authority
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Jackson County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.003 mg/L
20% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 3,218 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
26 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
26
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
1.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 26 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
19
Nearest site
16.6 mi
Observation range
Jan 5, 2016–Jun 3, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: OCONEE R AT BARNETT SHOALS RD, NR WATKINSVILLE, GA (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 30565 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Nicholson median
26 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 26–26 PPM
Georgia median
40 PPM
14 PPM lower469 indexed ZIP readings · Range 3–207 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.003 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
3.7 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2009
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.003
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 3.7
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 5
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. COLI | GA1570004 | Resolved | Mar 25, 2025through Mar 26, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | GA1570004 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Apr 2, 2025 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | GA1570004 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | GA1570004 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | GA1570004 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2022through Dec 1, 2022 |
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 Nicholson ZIP 30565 using 26 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile) 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 Nicholson
Is tap water safe in Nicholson?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 26 PPM, or 1.5 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.