Americus Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
133.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 Americus, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Americus | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Americus compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Americus, Georgia | 84 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Albany, Georgia | 155 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Perry, Georgia | 150 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Warner Robins, Georgia | 106 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Columbus, Georgia | 131 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Americus compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Americus | 84 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Americus home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Americus's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Americus, Georgia, in Sumter County — the Sumter County seat adjacent to Plains (birthplace of President Jimmy Carter) and Ellaville on the Flint River in southwest Georgia — receives its municipal water from the Americus Water Division, drawing from Lake Blackshear (Flint River, Sumter County) through the Americus treatment plant.
The moderately soft 84 mg/L hardness and TDS of 133.8 mg/L reflect the southwest Georgia Flint River supply's predominantly insoluble Piedmont character. Lake Blackshear impounds the Flint River, which drains the Georgia Piedmont — Precambrian Elberton Granite (mostly insoluble), Precambrian Waverly Hall Formation (insoluble), and the Georgia Coastal Plain transition zone Cretaceous Providence Formation (siliceous sand). The predominantly insoluble Piedmont granite watershed produces the moderately soft southwest Georgia supply.
At 84 mg/L, Americus' 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 4.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Souther Field (Turner County proximity — an Air Force PFAS legacy site) and the southwest Georgia agricultural PFAS background contribute to Americus' readings.
Geology & Source: Americus in Sumter County draws from the Americus Water Division on Lake Blackshear (Sumter County, southwest Georgia) — Lake Blackshear impounds the Flint River draining the Georgia Piedmont (Precambrian Elberton Granite — mostly insoluble) — Georgia Sumter County Flint River-Blackshear Piedmont watershed produces moderately soft water at 84 mg/L with TDS 133.8 mg/L in this Sumter County Georgia city.