Hardness
Soft
46.7 PPM · 2.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Graham, NC 27253
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Alamance County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Sleepy Hollow Estates Mhp
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Alamance 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
0.007 mg/L
47% of action level
Utility match
8 systems
Serves 240 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
46.7 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
46.7
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
2.7
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 46.7 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
23
Nearest site
25.8 mi
Observation range
Aug 2, 2016–Dec 21, 2019
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: CH-252 NEW HOPE CHURCH RD CARY, NC BEDROCK (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 27253 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Graham median
47 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 46.7–46.7 PPM
North Carolina median
41 PPM
6 PPM higher519 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.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.007 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 0.007
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 55
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0201165 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC0201174 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Dec 9, 2025 |
| Chlorine | NC0201105 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NC0201105 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0201160 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Sep 12, 2025 |
| Nitrate | NC0201105 | Archived | Jan 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0201165 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | NC0201174 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | NC0201174 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC0201166 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Dec 23, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC0201165 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Mar 20, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC0201188 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Nov 27, 2024 |
| Public Notice | NC0201166 | Resolved | Feb 9, 2024through May 7, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0201105 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2024 |
| Nitrate | NC0201105 | Archived | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0201165 | Addressed | Jan 1, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0201188 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Mar 4, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NC3001010 | Resolved | Dec 11, 2023through Jan 8, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NC0201166 | Addressed | Oct 1, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NC0201105 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Feb 13, 2024 |
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 Graham ZIP 27253 using 46.7 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS 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 Graham
Is tap water safe in Graham?+
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 46.7 PPM, or 2.7 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.