Salem Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
162.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 Salem, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Salem | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Salem compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Salem, New Hampshire | 67.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Methuen, Massachusetts | 42.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Lawrence, Massachusetts | 62 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Windham, New Hampshire | 66.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| North Andover, Massachusetts | 124.5 mg/L | 11.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Salem compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Salem | 67.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Salem's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Salem, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County — a major southeast New Hampshire Massachusetts border community (Salem is a significant Rockingham County town — one of the most commercially important communities in New Hampshire; Salem is New Hampshire's primary retail destination for Massachusetts residents seeking to shop without Massachusetts sales tax (New Hampshire has no sales tax — the Salem area along I-93 and I-495 attracts massive retail shopping from adjacent Massachusetts residents; the Manchester Premium Outlets and numerous Salem retail corridors are among the most heavily visited retail areas in the region)), home of Canobie Lake Park (one of the most beloved classic amusement parks in New England — Canobie Lake Park in Salem has operated since 1902 on the shore of Canobie Lake), a diverse Rockingham County community with a primarily working-class, retail industry, and Massachusetts commuter population, adjacent to Methuen, MA and Haverhill, MA in the south Rockingham County border corridor — draws its municipal water supply via the Salem Water Works. Water hardness in Salem measures 67.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Salem's moderate softness reflects the south New Hampshire Rockingham County glacial plain aquifer's calcareous-poor character. The Spicket River glacial aquifer draws from Quaternary calcareous-poor glacial outwash (from Precambrian New Hampshire gneiss — calcareous-poor). Salem Water Works produces the moderately soft 67.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 67.5 mg/L, Salem residents enjoy moderately soft water. Salem Water Works consistently delivers water meeting all New Hampshire DES and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Salem aquifer (Spicket River glacial plain) via the Salem Water Works — the Rockingham County southeast New Hampshire Merrimack Valley Salem corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor New Hampshire gneiss and Quaternary calcareous-poor glacial outwash — the extremely calcareous-poor south New Hampshire crystalline glacial aquifer; effective treatment); moderately soft supply at 67.5 mg/L in Rockingham County.