Hardness
Moderately Hard
98.8 PPM · 5.8 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Fairfax, VT 05454
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Franklin County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Fairfax Water Dept
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Franklin 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 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
5 systems
Serves 1,550 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
98.8 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
98.8
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
5.8
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 98.8 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
46
Nearest site
19.8 mi
Observation range
Jun 12, 2017–Jul 20, 2023
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: VT-ENW 10 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 05454 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Fairfax median
99 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 98.8–98.8 PPM
Vermont median
98 PPM
About the same93 indexed ZIP readings · Range 10.5–176 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
1.4 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2014
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.4
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 51
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | VT0005403 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2025through Mar 12, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VT0005117 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2025through Nov 30, 2025 |
| Nitrate | VT0005117 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0005118 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0020855 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VT0005117 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2025through Feb 28, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | VT0005118 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | VT0020855 | Addressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0005118 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Nov 4, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0005403 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Dec 6, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0020855 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0021020 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Oct 24, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VT0005118 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Jan 31, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0005117 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Nov 8, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0020855 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0021020 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Dec 11, 2023 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | VT0021020 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Aug 7, 2024 |
| TTHM | VT0021020 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Aug 7, 2024 |
| Nitrate | VT0021020 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2022through Dec 31, 2022 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VT0020855 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jan 31, 2023 |
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 Fairfax ZIP 05454 using 98.8 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS 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 Fairfax
Is tap water safe in Fairfax?+
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 98.8 PPM, or 5.8 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.