Hardness
Soft
38.5 PPM · 2.3 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Ellerbe, NC 28338
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Richmond County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Ellerbe Town Of
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Richmond 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
0.037 mg/L
247% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 2,050 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
38.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
38.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
2.3
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 38.5 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
21
Nearest site
53.9 mi
Observation range
Jan 15, 2016–Jun 9, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: HAW R BELOW B. EVERETT JORDAN DAM NR MONCURE, NC (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 28338 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Ellerbe median
39 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 38.5–38.5 PPM
North Carolina median
41 PPM
About the same519 indexed ZIP readings · Range 4.7–267.5 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.
0 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.037 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 0.037
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 15
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0377020 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2026through Jun 11, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | NC0377020 | Addressed | Dec 10, 2025 |
| Public Notice | NC0377020 | Resolved | Oct 11, 2025through Oct 10, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0377020 | Addressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | NC0377020 | Addressed | Feb 21, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | NC0377020 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Jan 29, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | NC0377020 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Jan 29, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | NC0377020 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| TTHM | NC0377020 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| TTHM | NC0377020 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | NC0377020 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | NC0377020 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| TTHM | NC0377020 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0377020 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Mar 9, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC0377020 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2021through Oct 14, 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 Ellerbe ZIP 28338 using 38.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Lead (90th percentile), Lead and Copper Rule have 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 Ellerbe
Is tap water safe in Ellerbe?+
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 38.5 PPM, or 2.3 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.