How does Fredonia's water compare to the national average?

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

Fredonia Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

191 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 Fredonia, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Fredonia	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 Fredonia compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Fredonia, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Dunkirk, New York	146.5 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Jamestown, New York	171.2 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Buffalo, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Lackawanna, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Fredonia compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Fredonia	≈ 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 Fredonia's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 191 mg/LpH: 8.1

The Fredonia Village Water Company provides drinking water to around 11,276 residents in the Village of Fredonia, Chautauqua County, New York. All of the utility's water comes from the Fredonia Reservoir, a surface source that is treated at the Fredonia Water Treatment Plant. This facility, located at 9-11 Church Street, manages continuous withdrawal to meet demand, even with challenges from surface evaporation. The Fredonia Reservoir itself is situated within a local watershed in Chautauqua County.

The reservoir's watershed is shaped by Devonian shale and limestone bedrock. As these sedimentary rocks weather, they release dissolved calcium and magnesium ions into the water, giving it a hard character. Formed in ancient shallow seas during the Devonian period, these rocks are typical of western New York's geology and contribute to a moderately mineralized, hard water supply. This geological makeup contrasts with softer waters found in areas with less limestone.

Homeowners in Fredonia often deal with scale buildup in appliances like pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, which can reduce their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. You might notice white deposits, clogged fixtures, and increased energy usage. Soap scum also tends to form more readily, making it harder to get a good lather. Regularly descaling with vinegar, installing sediment filters, and flushing heaters are helpful maintenance steps. For consistent improvement, a water softener is recommended to prevent spotting on glassware, extend equipment life, and enhance cleaning power.

Geology & Source: Devonian shale and limestone; sedimentary rocks contribute calcium and magnesium, resulting in hard water.

Other New York Water Reports

Dunkirk

146.5 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Jamestown

171.2 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Buffalo

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lackawanna

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 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 Fredonia's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fredonia'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 Fredonia?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Fredonia'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 Fredonia compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fredonia (≈ 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 Fredonia 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.