Milford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.1 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
166.6 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 Milford, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Milford | 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 Milford compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Milford, Delaware | 71 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Dover, Delaware | 132 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Smyrna, Delaware | 126.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Bridgeton, New Jersey | 123 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Salisbury, Maryland | 121.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Milford compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Milford | 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 Milford's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Milford, Delaware, in Sussex County — a Sussex County city adjacent to Harrington and Georgetown on the Mispillion River in south Delaware — receives its water from the Artesian Water Company, drawing from the Columbia Aquifer through the south Delaware distribution.
The soft 71 mg/L hardness and TDS of 166.6 mg/L reflect the Sussex County supply's soft Coastal Plain character — the Pleistocene Columbia Formation and Miocene Chesapeake Group are sandy-slightly calcareous formations in the Delmarva Coastal Plain; the shallow Columbia Aquifer in Sussex County draws from clean sandy formations contributing minimal dissolved mineral content (compare Harrington DE: 68/158 in Kent County comparable; Georgetown DE: 73/175 in Sussex County comparable; Milford consistent soft from the same Sussex County Columbia Aquifer Pleistocene insoluble supply). The Columbia Aquifer at Sussex County — Pleistocene Columbia Formation (sandy insoluble — primary dilutant), Miocene Chesapeake Group (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Delmarva Coastal Plain alluvium (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 71 mg/L with TDS 167, Milford's water is soft — minimal scale buildup, appliances last well. Annual descaling as preventative maintenance is sufficient. The PFAS level of 4.7 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review Artesian Water's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Milford in Sussex County draws from the Artesian Water on the Columbia Aquifer (Sussex County, south Delaware) — the Delmarva Coastal Plain at Sussex County draws from Pleistocene Columbia Formation (sandy insoluble) and Miocene Chesapeake Group (slightly calcareous) — Delaware Sussex County Columbia Aquifer Pleistocene insoluble supply produces soft water at 71 mg/L with TDS 166.6 mg/L.