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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Troy (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Troy Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

462.6 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · 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 Troy, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Troy	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Troy compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Troy, Alabama	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Ozark, Alabama	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Enterprise, Alabama	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Montgomery, Alabama	≈ 60–120 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir
Millbrook, Alabama	≈ 120–179 mg/L	752.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Troy compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Troy	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Troy's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 462.6 mg/LpH: 8.2

City of Troy Utilities (PWSID AL0001124), located at 301 Charles W. Meeks Avenue, PO Box 549, Troy, AL 36081, serves approximately 18,000 residents in Pike County, including the university district and areas around Veterans Memorial Park. The utility sources water exclusively from groundwater aquifers, treated via disinfection with chlorine at facilities managed by General Manager Brian Chandler (contact: 334-566-0177). Annual Consumer Confidence Reports for 2023 and 2024 detail compliance monitoring performed January through December.

The supply draws from central Alabama's groundwater aquifers, interacting with Cretaceous-era limestone bedrock and chalk deposits of the Selma Group in the coastal plain. This karst-influenced geology in the Black Belt physiographic region enhances mineral leaching as water percolates through carbonate formations, dissolving calcium and magnesium. The result is a very hard water supply with elevated total dissolved solids around 284 ppm, characteristic of limestone-dominated aquifers where prolonged dissolution shapes a strongly mineralised water profile.

Very hard water in Troy accelerates scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, with mineral deposits reducing efficiency and lifespan. Faucets and showerheads clog quickly; laundry feels stiff and soaps lather poorly. Regular vinegar descaling, annual heater flushing, and low-flow aerators help mitigate damage; a water softener is essential at very hard levels to protect appliances and improve daily use. Nine contaminants have been detected, including four exceeding health advocacy guidelines such as bromodichloromethane and chloroform, with shower absorption risks noted in studies. Residents should contact the utility for the latest CCR details on pH, lead/copper, and PFAS data.

Geology & Source: Central Alabama coastal plain; Cretaceous Selma Chalk Group limestone and chalk deposits; karst-influenced geology enhances calcium and magnesium dissolution from carbonate bedrock — very hard water with elevated total dissolved solids

Other Alabama Water Reports

Ozark

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Enterprise

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Montgomery

≈ 60–120 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Millbrook

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Troy's water safe to drink?

Yes. Troy's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Troy?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Troy's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 45%.

How does Troy compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Troy (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Troy 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.