Clay Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
350.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Clay, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Clay | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Clay compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clay, New York | 147 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Cicero, New York | 140 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Syracuse, New York | 109 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Oswego, New York | 109 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Auburn, New York | 137.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Clay compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clay | 147 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Clay's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Clay, New York, a town in northern Onondaga County — a rapidly growing north Syracuse suburb, one of the largest towns in New York State by population, centered around the Clay business corridor along Route 31 — draws its municipal water supply from Skaneateles Lake (Onondaga County Water Authority) and local Onondaga County Quaternary aquifer via the Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA), distributed to Clay through the OCWA north distribution. Water hardness in Clay measures 147 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Clay's moderate hardness reflects the Onondaga County calcareous geology. Skaneateles Lake (the OCWA primary source) is one of the Finger Lakes, draining the Onondaga Escarpment area — the Devonian Onondaga Limestone and Silurian Lockport Dolomite (calcareous Silurian–Devonian platform carbonate formations of the Finger Lakes escarpment) contribute moderate calcareous content to the Finger Lakes. The Clay distribution area in north Onondaga County also draws on Quaternary calcareous glacial outwash (the Oneida Lake–Oswego River valley glaciofluvial deposits — calcareous Wisconsin Age till and outwash from the limestone-rich Adirondack and Appalachian drainage). The combined supply produces the moderate 147 mg/L at Clay.
At 147 mg/L, Clay residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical maintenance. Onondaga County Water Authority consistently delivers water meeting all New York State DOH and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Onondaga Lake–Oneida Lake basin Quaternary glaciofluvial and Oswego River alluvial aquifer and Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA) Skaneateles Lake supply via the Town of Clay Water Department (OCWA) — the north Onondaga County suburban distribution; moderately hard supply at 147 mg/L — reflecting the Onondaga County calcareous glacial and carbonate aquifer system.