Saks Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
281 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.34
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 Saks, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Saks | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -36% |
| Washing Machine | 8.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -26% |
| Water Heater | 10.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Saks compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saks, Alabama | 126 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Anniston, Alabama | 63.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Oxford, Alabama | 64 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Jacksonville, Alabama | 95 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Gadsden, Alabama | 50.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Saks compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saks | 126 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Saks's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Saks, Alabama, in Calhoun County — a Calhoun County unincorporated community adjacent to Anniston and Oxford in northeast Alabama — receives its water from the Calhoun County Water Authority or Jacksonville Water Works, drawing from Logan Martin Lake through the northeast Alabama distribution.
The moderately hard 126 mg/L hardness and TDS of 281 mg/L reflect the Calhoun County supply's moderate Valley and Ridge character — the Cambrian Conasauga Group and Ordovician Knox Dolomite are calcareous-dolomitic formations in the Alabama Valley and Ridge Province, contributing moderate dissolved mineral content to the Coosa River reservoir supply (compare Anniston AL: 122/272 in Calhoun County comparable; Oxford AL: 129/290 in Calhoun County comparable; Saks consistent moderate from the same Calhoun County Logan Martin Lake Cambrian calcareous supply). The Coosa River watershed — Cambrian Conasauga Group (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Knox Dolomite (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Coosa River alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 126 mg/L with TDS 281, Saks' water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Calhoun County Water Authority's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Saks in Calhoun County draws from the Jacksonville Water on the Logan Martin Lake supply (Calhoun County, northeast Alabama) — the Coosa River watershed draws from Cambrian Conasauga Group (calcareous) and Ordovician Knox Dolomite (calcareous) — Alabama Calhoun County Logan Martin Lake Cambrian calcareous supply produces moderately hard water at 126 mg/L with TDS 281 mg/L.