How does Somersworth's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Somersworth (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

Somersworth Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

219.7 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

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 Somersworth, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Somersworth	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Somersworth compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Somersworth, New Hampshire	≈ 0–59 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Dover, New Hampshire	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Rochester, New Hampshire	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Durham, New Hampshire	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Sanford, Maine	≈ 0–60 mg/L	91.3 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Somersworth compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Somersworth	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Somersworth's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 219.7 mg/LpH: 7.8

The City of Somersworth Water & Wastewater Utilities Department supplies drinking water to Somersworth and surrounding areas in Strafford County. Their supply originates from New Hampshire's crystalline bedrock aquifer system. This water meets or exceeds all federal safety requirements, with the 2024 and 2025 Water Quality Reports confirming compliance with EPA standards and delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to residents.

The water originates from New Hampshire's crystalline bedrock aquifer system, typical of the New England region. The geology here is primarily Precambrian metamorphic rocks, including granite, gneiss, and schist. Because these rocks have very little carbonate mineral content, the water naturally comes out soft, with low levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium.

Homeowners in Somersworth will notice minimal scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and appliances thanks to the soft water. You'll find that soaps and detergents lather up effectively, so you likely won't need extra softening agents. Most appliances and plumbing will operate efficiently without the mineral deposits often seen with harder water. While a water softener isn't typically necessary, some residents might opt for one to further extend appliance life or simply for personal preference. Somersworth's tap water is safe to drink, and the utility performs regular testing to maintain ensure continued compliance with federal and state standards.

Geology & Source: New England crystalline bedrock; Precambrian metamorphic rocks like granite, gneiss, and schist yield soft water

Other New Hampshire Water Reports

Dover

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Rochester

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Durham

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Sanford

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Somersworth's water safe to drink?

Yes. Somersworth's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Somersworth?

Somersworth's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Somersworth compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Somersworth (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Somersworth is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.