Albany Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
225 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Albany, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Albany | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Albany compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Albany, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Albany, New York | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Roessleville, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Latham, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Watervliet, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Albany compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Albany | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Albany's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Albany Department of Water and Water Supply operates the public water system (NY0100189), serving Albany County and surrounding areas with approximately 35 million gallons daily to over 65,000 residents. The primary source is the Hudson River, with an intake near the Port of Albany. Water is treated at the Albany Filter Plant (also known as the Henry Hudson Water Treatment Plant) using conventional filtration, disinfection, and corrosion control. Treatment processes include coagulation with alum, sedimentation, dual-media filtration, chlorination, and fluoride addition.
The Hudson River Watershed drains 13,000 square miles from the Adirondacks to New York Harbor, with Albany's intake in the middle Hudson Valley section. Local geology includes Paleozoic sedimentary rocks — Ordovician shales, sandstones, and Cambrian-Ordovician limestones of the Hudson Valley fold-thrust belt. These formations release minerals via natural dissolution and runoff, imparting a moderately mineralised profile distinct from the softer Adirondack-sourced flows found higher upstream. Regional karst features and glacial till deposits further enhance mineral dissolution.
Moderately hard water promotes moderate scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency over time and increasing energy bills. Kettles and faucets may show visible deposits. Regular vinegar descaling, low-flow aerators, and annual appliance checks are recommended. A water softener is often advised for households with frequent scaling issues to extend fixture life and improve soap lathering. The 2022 Consumer Confidence Report confirms no violations, with pH typically 7.5–8.5; lead and copper levels comply with EPA action levels (90th percentile copper below 1.3 mg/L), and disinfection byproducts are monitored below MCLs.
Geology & Source: Hudson River Watershed — Ordovician and Cambrian limestones, shales, and sandstones of the Hudson Valley fold-thrust belt; carbonate outcrops leach calcium and magnesium into river water; glacial till enhances mineral dissolution, producing
Other New York Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albany's water safe to drink?
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How does Albany compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Albany is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.