Hardness
Moderately Hard
85.9 PPM · 5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Wales, MA 01081
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Hampden County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- Brookside Village
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Hampden 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 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 80 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
85.9 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
85.9
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 85.9 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
185
Nearest site
8.2 mi
Observation range
May 11, 2016–Dec 2, 2025
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: MA-PAW 54 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 01081 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Wales median
86 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 85.9–85.9 PPM
Massachusetts median
49 PPM
37 PPM higher328 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 mg/L
Reported Sep 30, 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
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 3
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MA1306001 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Aug 15, 2022 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MA1306006 | Addressed | Apr 1, 2016 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MA1306006 | Addressed | Jun 1, 2015 |
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 Wales ZIP 01081 using 85.9 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
No urgent match
Start with an independent water test
This profile does not trigger a treatment recommendation. Test at the tap before investing in equipment.
Affiliate 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 Wales
Is tap water safe in Wales?+
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 85.9 PPM, or 5 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. 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.