Ellington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
159.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Ellington, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ellington | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -14% |
| Washing Machine | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ellington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ellington, Connecticut | 71 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Tolland, Connecticut | 73 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Manchester, Connecticut | 40.5 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Enfield, Connecticut | 76 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Windsor Locks, Connecticut | 41 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ellington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ellington | 71 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Ellington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ellington, Connecticut, in the Capitol Planning Region — a Capitol Planning Region town adjacent to Tolland and Vernon in north-central Connecticut — receives its water from the Ellington Water Division or the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, drawing from local reservoir sources (north-central Connecticut) through the Capitol Planning Region distribution.
The moderately soft 71 mg/L hardness and TDS of 159.4 mg/L are consistent with the north-central Connecticut Capitol Planning Region supply's moderate New England crystalline and Triassic calcareous character — similar to other Capitol Planning Region communities (Tolland: 73 mg/L; Vernon: ~70 mg/L). The Ellington watershed drains the New England Upland — Precambrian Monson Gneiss (insoluble — primary supply), Precambrian Glastonbury Gneiss (insoluble), and minor Triassic Hartford Basin (calcareous — minor hardness contributor at the west Ellington fringe).
At 71 mg/L, Ellington's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 9.4 ppt is elevated — Barnes Municipal Airport (Westfield MA — AFFF), the Connecticut military installation PFAS corridor, and the Capitol Planning Region PFAS background from Hartford industrial complex contribute to Ellington's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Ellington in Capitol Planning Region draws from the Ellington Water Division on local reservoir sources (Capitol Planning Region, north-central Connecticut) — the watershed drains New England Upland (Precambrian Monson Gneiss — insoluble) and Triassic Hartford Basin (calcareous) — Connecticut Capitol Planning Region local reservoir New England crystalline watershed produces moderately soft water at 71 mg/L with TDS 159.4 mg/L.