Graham Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
100.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.17
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 Graham, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Graham | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -7% |
| Water Heater | 13 yrs | 15 yrs | -13% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Graham compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Graham, North Carolina | 65.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Burlington, North Carolina | 66.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Mebane, North Carolina | 66.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Carrboro, North Carolina | 115 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Chapel Hill, North Carolina | 150.5 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Graham compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Graham | 65.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Graham's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Graham, North Carolina, in Alamance County — the Alamance County seat adjacent to Burlington and Mebane on the Haw River in the central North Carolina Piedmont — receives its municipal water from the City of Burlington water system or the Graham Water Division, drawing from the Haw River (Alamance County) through the north-central North Carolina water treatment system.
The moderately soft 65.5 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 100.2 mg/L reflect the central North Carolina Haw River supply's predominantly insoluble Piedmont crystalline character — consistent with other Haw River Alamance County communities (Burlington: ~64 mg/L; Mebane: ~66 mg/L). The Haw River at Alamance County drains the North Carolina Piedmont — Precambrian Raleigh Belt paragneiss (insoluble — primary supply), Precambrian Chapel Hill Gneiss (insoluble), and Triassic Deep River Basin (slightly calcareous — minor hardness contributor at the southeast Alamance fringe). The predominantly insoluble Piedmont crystalline produces the moderately soft central North Carolina supply.
At 65.5 mg/L, Graham's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.5 ppt is low — Burlington Municipal Airport and the central North Carolina Piedmont industrial corridor have minimal major adjacent AFFF military PFAS sources, and the modest background reading reflects the broader North Carolina industrial legacy.
Geology & Source: Graham in Alamance County draws from the City of Burlington or Graham Water Division on the Haw River (Alamance County, central North Carolina Piedmont) — the Haw River drains the North Carolina Piedmont (Precambrian Raleigh Belt gneiss — insoluble, Triassic Deep River Basin — slightly calcareous) — North Carolina Alamance County Haw River Piedmont crystalline watershed produces moderately soft water at 65.5 mg/L with TDS 100.2 mg/L.