Orange Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
26.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.05
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 Orange, your appliances are currently losing 2% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Orange | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | — |
| Washing Machine | 13 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -1% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Orange compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Orange, Connecticut | 17.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Milford, Connecticut | 57 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| City of Milford (balance), Connecticut | 32 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Derby, Connecticut | 31 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Shelton, Connecticut | 25 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Orange compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Orange | 17.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Orange's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Orange, Connecticut, in New Haven County — a New Haven County town adjacent to West Haven and Milford in south-central Connecticut — receives its water from the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (SCCRWA), drawing from Lake Saltonstall or Lake Gaillard (New Haven County) through the south-central Connecticut distribution.
The very soft 17.5 mg/L hardness and extremely low TDS of 26.9 mg/L are among the softest water supplies in Connecticut — consistent with the SCCRWA system serving the south-central Connecticut communities (West Haven: ~17 mg/L; Milford: ~18 mg/L), all drawing from the predominantly insoluble Precambrian gneiss highland reservoir. The SCCRWA reservoir watershed at New Haven County drains the New England Highlands — Precambrian Gneiss and Schist (insoluble — primary dilutant), Precambrian Monson Gneiss (insoluble), Cambrian calcareous formations (very slightly calcareous — negligible contributor), and Pleistocene glacial till (minimal calcareous).
At 17.5 mg/L, Orange's water is very soft — essentially no scale forms, dishwashers require minimal detergent, and appliances stay virtually scale-free. No descaling is needed. The PFAS level of 4.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the New Haven County south-central Connecticut industrial corridor and Sikorsky Memorial Airport (Stratford — AFFF) contribute to Orange's readings.
Geology & Source: Orange in New Haven County draws from the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority on Lake Saltonstall or Lake Gaillard (New Haven County, south-central Connecticut) — the reservoir drains the New England Highlands (Precambrian gneiss — insoluble) — Connecticut New Haven County New England Highlands Precambrian gneiss reservoir produces very soft water at 17.5 mg/L with TDS 26.9 mg/L.