Frankford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Town of Frankford public water system serves residents in Frankford, Sussex County, Delaware, drawing groundwater from two dedicated wells tapping the Columbia Formation aquifer. There are no surface water reservoirs or rivers involved; treatment occurs at the local facility managed by the town utility. This small community system provides drinking water exclusively to the Frankford area using basic disinfection and filtration as the primary treatment steps. No additional treatment plants are noted in available reports, and the system meets Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

The supply originates within the Columbia aquifer in Delaware's Coastal Plain physiographic province. The formation consists of unconsolidated Tertiary marine sediments featuring quartz sands and gravels interbedded with clays and sparse shell fragments of calcite, aragonite, and magnesium calcite. This low-carbonate, sandy lithology imparts a soft character to the water, as minimal dissolved calcium and magnesium are released compared to limestone-dominated regions.

As a soft water supply, Frankford experiences minimal scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. Soap lathers easily with little excess detergent needed, and white precipitate in showers or kettles is rare. No softening is required; routine maintenance should instead monitor for corrosion risks from low mineral content, using phosphate inhibitors if needed to protect plumbing — phosphate is added at approximately 3 ppm for corrosion control. The 2021 Consumer Confidence Report confirms compliance with all primary contaminants.