Fairhaven Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
75.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.11
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 Fairhaven, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fairhaven | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -4% |
| Washing Machine | 12 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 13.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -7% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fairhaven compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fairhaven, Massachusetts | 42.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| New Bedford, Massachusetts | 96 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Head of Westport, Massachusetts | 64 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Middleborough, Massachusetts | 45 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Fall River, Massachusetts | 45.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Fairhaven compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fairhaven | 42.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fairhaven's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fairhaven, Massachusetts, in Bristol County — a Bristol County town adjacent to New Bedford and Acushnet on Buzzards Bay in southeast Massachusetts — receives its municipal water from the Fairhaven Water Division, drawing from local reservoir sources (Bristol County, southeast Massachusetts) through the Fairhaven treatment system.
The soft 42.5 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 75.5 mg/L reflect the southeast Massachusetts coastal plain's insoluble glacial character. The Fairhaven watershed drains the Plymouth-South Shore Coastal Plain — Pleistocene Cape Cod glacial outwash (insoluble quartz sand and gravel from the Cape Cod-Buzzards Bay glacial lobes), Quaternary beach and barrier sand (insoluble siliceous), and Precambrian Dedham Granodiorite basement (insoluble). The predominantly insoluble coastal plain glacial and granitic geology produces the soft southeast Massachusetts supply.
At 42.5 mg/L, Fairhaven's water is 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 6.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — New Bedford Regional Airport (AFFF — the primary Fairhaven PFAS source), Otis Air National Guard Base (Barnstable County PFAS plume migrating into southeast Massachusetts), and the Buzzards Bay industrial corridor contribute to Fairhaven's readings.
Geology & Source: Fairhaven in Bristol County draws from the Fairhaven Water Division on local reservoirs (Bristol County, southeast Massachusetts) — the Fairhaven watershed drains the Plymouth-South Shore Coastal Plain (Pleistocene Cape Cod glacial outwash, Precambrian Dedham Granodiorite — insoluble) — Massachusetts Bristol County coastal plain glacial watershed produces soft water at 42.5 mg/L with TDS 75.5 mg/L in this Bristol County Massachusetts town.