Hardness
Moderately Hard
64.6 PPM · 3.8 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Hillsborough, NH 03244
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Hillsborough County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Hillsborough Water Works
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Hillsborough 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
0.033 mg/L
220% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 2,000 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
64.6 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
64.6
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
3.8
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 64.6 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
62
Nearest site
22.3 mi
Observation range
Jan 10, 2016–Jun 8, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: COLD RIVER AT HIGH STREET, AT ALSTEAD, NH (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 03244 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Hillsborough median
65 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 64.6–64.6 PPM
New Hampshire median
58 PPM
7 PPM higher90 indexed ZIP readings · Range 16–102 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)
0.033 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2010
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 0.033
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 6
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHM | NH1141020 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Oct 1, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | NH1141020 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Oct 1, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NH1141020 | Resolved | Nov 10, 2021through Dec 7, 2021 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NH1141020 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2021through Nov 1, 2021 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NH1141020 | Unaddressed | Oct 2, 2020 |
| Public NoticeReported 0 | NH1141020 | Unaddressed | Jan 27, 2002 |
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 Hillsborough ZIP 03244 using 64.6 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Lead (90th percentile), Groundwater 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 Hillsborough
Is tap water safe in Hillsborough?+
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 64.6 PPM, or 3.8 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.