State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM51
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM39
Hard · 121–180 PPM0
Very hard · 181+ PPM0
State water index
New Hampshire water hardness
Search 74 indexed communities and 90 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median indexed hardness
58PPM
Soft
Indexed range 16–102 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 90
- Cities
- 74
- Matched utilities
- 243
- Counties
- 10
Understanding New Hampshire
Why local comparisons matter here
New Hampshire uses lakes, reservoirs, sand-and-gravel aquifers, and fractured bedrock wells across short but geologically varied distances.
In this index, soft is the largest category, covering 51 of 90 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 58 PPM, but the full indexed range is 16–102 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 100%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 86%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 48%
18
Low-confidence hardness profiles
15
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 198
- Surface water
- 45
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Charlestown102 PPM
- 2. Bradford100 PPM
- 3. Hinsdale100 PPM
- 4. Winchester100 PPM
- 5. New London99 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Lincoln16 PPM
- 2. Claremont22 PPM
- 3. Hanover24 PPM
- 4. Canaan24 PPM
- 5. Lebanon25 PPM
City directory
Explore New Hampshire by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
74 cities · 90 ZIP profiles
74 cities found
Page 1 of 4
Alton
Belknap County · 2 ZIPs
50PPM
Range 49.7–50.5No active flag
Amherst
Hillsborough County · 1 ZIP
79PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Antrim
Hillsborough County · 1 ZIP
86PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Ashland
Grafton County · 1 ZIP
45PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bartlett
Carroll County · 1 ZIP
42PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Belmont
Belknap County · 1 ZIP
50PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bennington
Hillsborough County · 1 ZIP
85PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Berlin
Coos County · 1 ZIP
69PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bethlehem
Grafton County · 1 ZIP
69PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bradford
Merrimack County · 1 ZIP
100PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bristol
Grafton County · 1 ZIP
47PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Canaan
Grafton County · 1 ZIP
24PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Charlestown
Sullivan County · 1 ZIP
102PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Claremont
Sullivan County · 1 ZIP
22PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Colebrook
Coos County · 1 ZIP
44PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Concord
Merrimack County · 3 ZIPs
65PPM
Range 63–66.1No active flag
Conway
Carroll County · 2 ZIPs
41PPM
Range 39.2–42No active flag
Derry
Rockingham County · 2 ZIPs
57PPM
Range 56–58.8No active flag
Dover
Strafford County · 2 ZIPs
48PPM
Range 47.2–48.5No active flag
Durham
Strafford County · 1 ZIP
66PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Enfield
Grafton County · 1 ZIP
98PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Epping
Rockingham County · 1 ZIP
47PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Exeter
Rockingham County · 1 ZIP
62PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Farmington
Strafford County · 1 ZIP
53PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheshire County | 96 PPM | 59.5–100 | 7 |
| Merrimack County | 66 PPM | 55.2–100 | 10 |
| Strafford County | 66 PPM | 47.2–68.2 | 9 |
| Hillsborough County | 58 PPM | 40.4–86.3 | 21 |
| Coos County | 57 PPM | 36.8–69.1 | 6 |
| Sullivan County | 55 PPM | 22.2–102 | 4 |
| Rockingham County | 50 PPM | 43.5–66.6 | 10 |
| Belknap County | 50 PPM | 36.3–58.8 | 6 |
| Grafton County | 45 PPM | 16–97.7 | 12 |
| Carroll County | 42 PPM | 39.2–62.6 | 5 |