Concord Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Concord General Services Water Treatment Division, operated by the City of Concord, New Hampshire, supplies drinking water to the city and surrounding areas in Merrimack County. The primary source is Penacook Lake, a surface reservoir in West Concord that has served as the city's main supply since 1872. Water is treated at the Hutchins Street Water Treatment Plant on the lake's shores, where it undergoes conventional filtration and disinfection to ensure compliance with EPA and Safe Drinking Water Act standards through continuous laboratory testing.

The Penacook Lake watershed drains into the Merrimack River basin, characterized by forested uplands and low-relief terrain shaped by Pleistocene glaciation. Bedrock consists of resistant metamorphic and igneous formations from the Devonian Merrimack Synclinorium, including schistose quartzites and granitic intrusives, with thin soils from glacial drift. These inert rocks release minimal calcium and magnesium ions, imparting a very soft character to the water, with surface runoff and precipitation dominating the chemistry rather than mineral dissolution.

Soft water minimizes scale buildup on fixtures, appliances, and pipes, reducing maintenance needs for water heaters, dishwashers, and laundry machines. Soap and detergents lather efficiently, saving on usage, and skin feels smoother without mineral residue. No water softener is recommended or needed; occasional rinse agents may help with glassware spotting from low mineral content. The 2024 Annual Water Quality Report confirms full compliance with federal standards; no pH, lead, copper, or PFAS violations are noted, and the utility publishes annual Consumer Confidence Reports detailing all parameters.