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Fallsburg Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

6.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

22 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 Fallsburg, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn FallsburgSoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Fallsburg compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Fallsburg, New York≈ 120–179 mg/L12.3 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Wawarsing, New York131.5 mg/L6.3 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Middletown, New York≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Kiryas Joel, New York≈ 180+ mg/L7.9 ppt🔴 Very Hardreservoir
Woodbury, New York≈ 120–179 mg/L4.1 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How Fallsburg compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Fallsburg≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Fallsburg's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 22 mg/LpH: 6.8

The Town of Fallsburg Water Department supplies residents and businesses in Fallsburg, Sullivan County, New York. Their water originates from 16 different groundwater wells strategically located throughout the town. Unlike communities relying on rivers or reservoirs, Fallsburg draws exclusively from underground aquifers. Standard treatment processes for groundwater are employed, which typically include disinfection, likely using chlorine, and potentially aeration or filtration at the wellheads before distribution. The Town of Fallsburg Water Department ensures this subsurface supply meets all drinking water regulations, serving a mix of year-round and seasonal properties within the Catskills region.

The water's journey begins deep within the Appalachian Plateau, where bedrock is primarily composed of Devonian-age shales, siltstones, and sandstones belonging to the Catskill and Hamilton Groups. Interspersed within this sedimentary rock are thin layers of limestone. Covering these ancient formations are deposits of glacial till and outwash from the Wisconsinan glaciation. These glacial materials create shallow aquifers, often found in lenses of sand and gravel. The groundwater picks up minerals as it flows through these geological layers, with the dissolution of carbonate minerals from limestone and dolomite, alongside cation exchange in the glacial sediments, contributing calcium and magnesium that result in moderately hard water.

Homeowners in Fallsburg may notice the effects of this moderately hard water, such as a gradual buildup of scale in appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters, which can reduce their efficiency and lifespan. You might also see spots on glassware coming out of the dishwasher, or find that soap doesn't lather quite as easily. Keeping fixtures like faucets and showerheads clear of deposits often requires regular cleaning. To combat these issues, homeowners can perform annual descaling of appliances or use vinegar for cleaning fixtures. For a more consistent improvement and to prolong the life of your appliances, installing a water softener is a worthwhile consideration.

Geology & Source: Devonian shales, siltstones, sandstones; limestone layers and glacial sediments; cation exchange and mineral dissolution produce moderate hardness

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fallsburg's water safe to drink?
Yes. Fallsburg'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 Fallsburg?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Fallsburg'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 Fallsburg compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fallsburg (≈ 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 Fallsburg 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

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.

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.