Gates-North Gates Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
188.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.26
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 Gates-North Gates, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gates-North Gates | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gates-North Gates compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gates-North Gates, New York | 99 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Greece, New York | 85 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Rochester, New York | 171.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Irondequoit, New York | 107.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Henrietta, New York | 142 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Gates-North Gates compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gates-North Gates | 99 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gates-North Gates's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gates-North Gates, New York, in Monroe County — an unincorporated Monroe County community adjacent to Rochester and Chili in the west Rochester suburb — receives its water from the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA), drawing from Lake Ontario (Monroe County) through the Rochester metro distribution.
The moderately soft 99 mg/L hardness and TDS of 188.7 mg/L reflect the western New York Lake Ontario supply's moderate Silurian dolomitic character — consistent with other MCWA Monroe County communities (Rochester: ~100 mg/L; Greece: ~98 mg/L). Lake Ontario at Monroe County receives drainage from the Great Lakes Basin — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (dolomite — primary TDS contributor), Silurian Lockport Group (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Devonian Onondaga Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor). The dilute Lake Ontario volume moderates the Silurian dolomite hardness to the moderate Monroe County supply.
At 99 mg/L, Gates-North Gates' water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Monroe County Rochester industrial corridor, Rochester Hopkins International Airport (AFFF), and the Lake Ontario PFAS background from the Ontario-Great Lakes industrial corridor contribute to Gates-North Gates' readings.
Geology & Source: Gates-North Gates in Monroe County draws from the Monroe County Water Authority on Lake Ontario (Monroe County, western New York) — Lake Ontario receives drainage from Silurian Niagara Dolomite and Devonian Lockport Group calcareous — New York Monroe County Lake Ontario Silurian-Devonian watershed produces moderately soft water at 99 mg/L with TDS 188.7 mg/L in this Monroe County New York community.