Fort Drum Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
107.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 Fort Drum, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fort Drum | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -14% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fort Drum compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Drum, New York | 68.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Watertown, New York | 128 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Rome, New York | 67.5 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cicero, New York | 140 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Oswego, New York | 109 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Fort Drum compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Drum | 68.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fort Drum's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fort Drum, New York, in Jefferson County — a Jefferson County military installation adjacent to Watertown and Carthage in north-central New York — receives its water from the Fort Drum Water system, drawing from the Black River watershed (Jefferson County) through the north-central New York distribution.
The soft 68.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 107.4 mg/L reflect the north-central New York Jefferson County Black River supply's soft character — the Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss in the Adirondack Highlands contributes insoluble dilution, while the Ordovician Trenton Limestone adds minor calcareous hardness, producing soft water typical of the north New York Adirondack-adjacent communities. The Black River watershed at Jefferson County — Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant from Adirondacks), Ordovician Trenton Limestone (calcareous — minor hardness contributor), and Quaternary glacial drift (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 68.5 mg/L, Fort Drum's water is soft — scale forms very slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Drum (Jefferson County — Army base AFFF) is a primary contributor to Jefferson County's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Fort Drum in Jefferson County draws from the Fort Drum Water on the Black River watershed (Jefferson County, north-central New York) — the Black River watershed at Jefferson County drains the Adirondack Highlands (Precambrian Grenville Province gneiss — insoluble) and Ordovician Trenton Limestone (calcareous) — New York Jefferson County Black River Precambrian-Ordovician supply produces soft water at 68.5 mg/L with TDS 107.4 mg/L.