Pelham Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
1.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
51.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.08
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 Pelham, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pelham | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | — |
| Washing Machine | 12.5 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -4% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Pelham compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pelham, New Hampshire | 29 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Dracut, Massachusetts | 106 mg/L | 10.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Windham, New Hampshire | 66.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lowell, Massachusetts | 99.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Methuen, Massachusetts | 42.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Pelham compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pelham | 29 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pelham's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pelham, New Hampshire, in Hillsborough County — a Hillsborough County town adjacent to Londonderry and Salem in southeast New Hampshire — receives its water from the Pelham Water Department, drawing from local Pelham reservoirs (Hillsborough County) through the southeast New Hampshire distribution.
The very soft 29 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 51.6 mg/L reflect the southeast New Hampshire Hillsborough County supply's very soft granite character — the Precambrian Merrimack Group gneiss and Devonian Concord Granite contribute insoluble dilution with minimal calcareous contact, among the softest water in New England (compare Claremont NH: 47/109 on the Mascoma-Upper Connecticut supply; Pelham near the soft end of the Hillsborough County granite). The Pelham watershed at Hillsborough County — Precambrian Merrimack Group gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Devonian Concord Granite (insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Pleistocene New Hampshire glacial outwash (slightly calcareous — trace hardness).
At 29 mg/L, Pelham's water is very soft — scale forms very slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Hillsborough County southeast New Hampshire industrial corridor contribute to Pelham's readings.
Geology & Source: Pelham in Hillsborough County draws from the Pelham Water Department on local Pelham reservoirs (Hillsborough County, southeast New Hampshire) — the Pelham watershed drains Precambrian Merrimack Group gneiss (insoluble) and Devonian Concord Granite (insoluble) — New Hampshire Hillsborough County Pelham reservoir Precambrian-Devonian insoluble granite supply produces very soft water at 29 mg/L with TDS 51.6 mg/L.