Rochester Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
124.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.15
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 Rochester, your appliances are currently losing 7% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Rochester | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -8% |
| Washing Machine | 11.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -4% |
| Water Heater | 13.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -11% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Rochester compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Rochester, New Hampshire | 56 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Dover, New Hampshire | 22.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Sanford, Maine | 35.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Portsmouth, New Hampshire | 42 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| York Beach, Maine | 54.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Rochester compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Rochester | 56 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Rochester home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Rochester's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Rochester, New Hampshire, in Strafford County — a major southeast New Hampshire city (Rochester is a significant Strafford County city — the third-largest city in New Hampshire by area; Rochester is a historically important textile mill and manufacturing city in the southeast New Hampshire Seacoast region, situated at the confluence of the Cochecho and Salmon Falls Rivers; Rochester is known for its annual Rochester Fair (one of the oldest and most attended agricultural fairs in New Hampshire — the Rochester Fair has been held annually since 1875 and draws over 100,000 visitors), a diverse Strafford County community with a significant French-Canadian, Irish-American, and working-class mill heritage population, adjacent to Dover and Somersworth in the southeast New Hampshire Tri-City area, home of a growing healthcare and light manufacturing employment base, and one of the more affordable Seacoast region communities — draws its municipal water supply via the City of Rochester Water Division. Water hardness in Rochester measures 56 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Rochester's moderate softness reflects the southeast New Hampshire watershed's calcareous-poor crystalline geology with effective treatment. The Cochecho River Basin aquifer draws from the Precambrian New Hampshire gneiss and schist (calcareous-poor). City of Rochester treatment produces the moderately soft 56 mg/L.
With hardness at 56 mg/L, Rochester residents enjoy moderately soft water. City of Rochester Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all New Hampshire DES and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Cocheco River Basin glacial aquifer via the City of Rochester Water Division — the Strafford County southeast New Hampshire Seacoast Rochester corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor New Hampshire gneiss and schist — the extremely calcareous-poor southeast New Hampshire crystalline watershed; excellent treatment); moderately soft supply at 56 mg/L in Strafford County.