Binghamton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
182.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.26
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 Binghamton, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Binghamton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -25% |
| Washing Machine | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -22% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Binghamton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Binghamton, New York | 97.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Johnson City, New York | 129.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Endicott, New York | 83.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Vestal, New York | 78.5 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cortland, New York | 73 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Binghamton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Binghamton | 97.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Binghamton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Binghamton, New York, the Broome County seat at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers — the 'Carousel Capital of the World' (six vintage Broome County carousels, given to the county by George F. Johnson, operate free of charge), home of Binghamton University (SUNY), IBM's founding manufacturing location (IBM began in Endicott, adjacent to Binghamton), and a historic Triple Cities manufacturing community (IBM, Endicott Johnson shoes, Link Aviation simulators) — draws its municipal water supply from the Oakdale Reservoir (Susquehanna watershed) via the Binghamton Water Division. Water hardness in Binghamton measures 97.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Binghamton's moderate softness reflects the Broome County Devonian Appalachian Plateau's moderately calcareous shale and siltstone geology. The Susquehanna River tributaries feeding Binghamton's reservoirs drain the South-Central New York Appalachian Plateau — predominantly Devonian Catskill and Hamilton Groups (the Catskill Delta — calcareous-moderate shale, siltstone, and sandstone; the Tully Limestone contributing some calcium to the watershed). The predominantly siliciclastic Devonian shale terrain, with limited calcareous limestone beds, produces the moderate 97.5 mg/L — softened by Binghamton's effective water treatment.
With hardness at 97.5 mg/L, Binghamton residents enjoy moderately soft water with minimal scale challenges. Binghamton Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all New York State DOH and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Susquehanna River tributaries (Whitney Point Reservoir and Oakdale Reservoir) via the Binghamton Water Division — the Broome County south-central New York (Devonian calcareous shale and siltstone Appalachian Plateau, moderately calcareous Catskill Delta terrain); moderately soft supply at 97.5 mg/L in Broome County.