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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fulton (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

Fulton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

51 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · 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 Fulton, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Fulton	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Fulton compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Fulton, New York	≈ 0–59 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Oswego, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Clay, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Fairmount, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Cicero, New York	≈ 180+ mg/L	6.8 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Fulton compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Fulton	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Fulton's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 51 mg/LpH: 7.6

The City of Fulton Water Department provides drinking water to about 17,055 residents in Oswego County, New York. This utility operates a purchased surface water system, meaning it obtains its water from external suppliers instead of managing its own reservoirs or wells. All treatment and distribution processes are handled at the main facility located at 141 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069. For any water quality questions, residents can reach out at 315-592-7330. The Oswego River watershed in central New York serves as the origin for Fulton's water.

The region's geology is defined by Ordovician and Silurian sedimentary rocks, mainly limestone and shale formations. This geological makeup is the reason for the water's naturally soft quality, as it doesn't lead to high levels of hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium dissolving into the supply.

Because Fulton's water is soft, homeowners usually don't face significant issues with scale buildup in pipes or appliances. You'll likely find that soaps and detergents perform well, making a water softener unnecessary. In fact, installing one isn't recommended, as it would be redundant and could add sodium to your drinking water. While the city's water met all state health standards, it's always wise to check the City of Fulton's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the latest compliance details.

Geology & Source: Ordovician and Silurian sedimentary formations; limestone and shale bedrock contribute to naturally soft water

Other New York Water Reports

Oswego

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Clay

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Fairmount

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Cicero

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very 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 Fulton's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fulton's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Fulton?

Fulton's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Fulton compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fulton (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 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 Fulton 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.