Hardness
Soft
57.2 PPM · 3.3 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Manchester, NH 03103
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.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- Manchester 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
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 123,500 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
57.2 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
57.2
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
3.3
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 57.2 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
79
Nearest site
12.8 mi
Observation range
Jan 4, 2016–Jun 8, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: BEAVER BROOK AT NORTH PELHAM, NH (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 03103 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Manchester median
57 PPM
About the same5 indexed ZIP readings · Range 57.2–58 PPM
New Hampshire median
58 PPM
About the same90 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.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2024
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
- 18
- Health-based
- 3
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice | NH1472030 | Resolved | Feb 23, 2026through Mar 10, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NH1472030 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NH1472030 | Resolved | Dec 11, 2025through Jan 20, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NH1472030 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2025through Dec 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | NH1472030 | Resolved | Oct 22, 2025through Oct 28, 2025 |
| Public Notice | NH1472030 | Resolved | Oct 22, 2025through Oct 28, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | NH1472030 | Resolved | Sep 8, 2025through Oct 28, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NH1472030 | Resolved | Sep 8, 2025through Oct 28, 2025 |
| Public Notice | NH1472030 | Resolved | Dec 16, 2024through Feb 3, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | NH1472030 | Resolved | Oct 7, 2024through May 2, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NH1472030 | Resolved | Oct 7, 2024through May 2, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | NH1472030 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2024through Oct 1, 2024 |
| Public Notice | NH1472030 | Resolved | Nov 21, 2023through Dec 20, 2023 |
| Public Notice | NH1472030 | Resolved | Nov 21, 2023through Dec 20, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NH1472030 | Resolved | Oct 11, 2023through Dec 8, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NH1472030 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2023through Oct 1, 2023 |
| E. COLI | NH1472030 | Resolved | Aug 5, 2023through Sep 13, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NH1472030 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2021through Dec 22, 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 Manchester ZIP 03103 using 57.2 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Manchester
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Manchester
Is tap water safe in Manchester?+
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 57.2 PPM, or 3.3 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.