How does Clifton Park's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Clifton Park (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Clifton Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

336 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Clifton Park, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Clifton Park	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 Clifton Park compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Clifton Park, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Cohoes, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 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
Troy, New York	60.7 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Clifton Park compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Clifton Park	≈ 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 Clifton Park's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 336 mg/LpH: 7.9

Clifton Park Water Authority (CPWA) serves approximately 35,000–40,000 residents in Clifton Park, Saratoga County, New York, from 661 Clifton Park Center Rd. Primary water sources are six groundwater well sites: Vischer Ferry Preserve (2 wells), Plank Road, Kinns Road, Boyack Road (2 wells), Berry Farm, and Oakwood. Supplemental purchased surface water comes from the Saratoga County Water Authority, sourced from the Hudson River. Treatment includes liquid chlorine disinfection at all sites, with phosphates added at Berry Farm and Oakwood to sequester iron, manganese, and hardness minerals before distribution.

The well network taps glaciated sand and gravel aquifers of the Saratoga County region, associated with USGS site Sa-1285. The Adirondack region's ancient bedrock and overlying sedimentary layers of limestone and dolomite contribute mineral-rich groundwater as water percolates through calcium and magnesium-rich deposits over millennia. This regional geology consistently produces a moderately mineralized supply, shaping the overall water chemistry without reliance on surface water softness — a character typical of upstate New York geology.

At moderately hard levels, scale buildup affects water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and faucets, reducing efficiency and lifespan while increasing energy costs. Dry skin, soap scum, and spotting on dishes are common. Regular descaling of appliances and fixtures is recommended; a water softener is advised to mitigate these effects and protect plumbing. CPWA has reported 3 MCL violations and contaminants including arsenic, chromium-6 (hexavalent), and beryllium exceeding health guidelines; water filters are strongly recommended.

Geology & Source: Saratoga County glaciated sand and gravel aquifers; Adirondack limestone-dolomite sedimentary formations dissolve calcium and magnesium — producing moderately mineralized water; blended with Hudson River surface supply

Other New York Water Reports

Cohoes

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Latham

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Watervliet

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Troy

60.7 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clifton Park's water safe to drink?

Yes. Clifton Park's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Clifton Park?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Clifton Park's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Clifton Park compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Clifton Park (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Clifton Park is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.