Augusta Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
1.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
60.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.09
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 Augusta, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Augusta | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | — |
| Washing Machine | 12.4 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -5% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Augusta compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Augusta, Maine | 32 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Waterville, Maine | 16 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Brunswick, Maine | 29 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Lewiston, Maine | 18 mg/L | 2.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Auburn, Maine | 31.5 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Augusta compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Augusta | 32 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Augusta's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County — the Kennebec County seat and the capital of Maine adjacent to Waterville and Hallowell, a historic mill city on the Kennebec River — receives its municipal water from the Augusta Water District, drawing from the Kennebec River at the Augusta water treatment intake.
The extremely soft 32 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 60.9 mg/L reflect the Kennebec River's Maine Highlands watershed character — among the softest state capital water supplies in the United States. The Kennebec River above Augusta drains the Maine Highlands — terrain underlain by Devonian Acadian Orogeny metamorphic quartzite, phyllite, and greenstone (derived from deep burial of insoluble marine sediment), Precambrian Grenville crystalline basement fragments, and extensive Pleistocene glacial lake and moraine deposits (all insoluble silicate). Moosehead Lake (one of the largest lakes in the eastern United States) contributes the major storage and flow stabilization in the Kennebec headwaters, providing the pure, near-rainwater-quality supply.
At 32 mg/L, Augusta's water is extremely soft — no scale ever forms, soap lathers maximally, and appliances achieve maximum lifespan. No descaling is needed. The PFAS level of 3.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Maine Military Authority (former Loring Air Force Base waste stream contributions to Maine rivers), the Augusta textile-paper manufacturing legacy (Kennebec River industrial history), and the Maine PFAS agricultural background contribute to Augusta's modest readings.
Geology & Source: Augusta in Kennebec County draws from the Augusta Water District on the Kennebec River (Kennebec County) — the Kennebec drains the Maine Highlands (Devonian Acadian Orogeny metamorphic quartzite, phyllite, Precambrian crystalline) and Moosehead Lake (glacial) — Maine Highlands crystalline silicate and glacial drainage produces extremely soft water at 32 mg/L with very low TDS 61 mg/L in this Kennebec County Maine city.