Cohoes Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
406.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.43
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 Cohoes, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cohoes | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -49% |
| Washing Machine | 7.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -37% |
| Water Heater | 9.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -39% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cohoes compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cohoes, New York | 161.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Troy, New York | 160.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Latham, New York | 72 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Clifton Park, New York | 153.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Albany, New York | 139.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Cohoes compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cohoes | 161.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cohoes's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cohoes, New York, in Albany County — an Albany County city adjacent to Troy and Waterford at the confluence of the Mohawk River and Hudson River in northeast New York — receives its municipal water from the Cohoes Water Division, drawing from the Mohawk River (Albany County) through the Cohoes treatment plant.
The hard 161.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 406.6 mg/L reflect the Mohawk Valley's strong carbonate character. The Mohawk River at Albany County drains the Mohawk Valley — Ordovician Trenton Limestone (high purity carbonate — the dominant Mohawk Valley carbonate platform), Silurian Lockport Dolomite (very high purity dolomite), and Devonian Helderberg Group limestone (calcareous). The cumulative Ordovician-Silurian-Devonian pure carbonate from the New York carbonate belt produces the hard Albany-Cohoes metro river supply.
At 161.5 mg/L, Cohoes' water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 7.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Albany County upstate New York industrial corridor (Cohoes historic textile mills — PFAS legacy), the Mohawk Valley General Electric PFAS contamination complex (GE Hudson Falls PCB/PFAS sites), and the northeast New York PFAS background contribute to Cohoes' elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Cohoes in Albany County draws from the Cohoes Water Division on the Mohawk River (Albany County, northeast New York) — the Mohawk drains the Mohawk Valley (Ordovician Trenton Limestone, Silurian Lockport Dolomite, Devonian Helderberg Group calcareous) — New York Albany County Mohawk River Ordovician-Silurian carbonate watershed produces hard water at 161.5 mg/L with TDS 406.6 mg/L in this Albany County New York city.