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

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

Ithaca 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

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

285 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 Ithaca, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Ithaca	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 Ithaca compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Ithaca, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Cortland, New York	211 mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Elmira, New York	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Auburn, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Endicott, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Ithaca compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 285 mg/LpH: 8.1

City of Ithaca Water Department serves approximately 30,000 residents in Tompkins County, New York, including the city limits and the Town of Ithaca's Forest Home area south of Fall Creek. Water is sourced from the Sixmile Creek Watershed, including the Bolter Creek Reservoir. The Water Filtration Plant at 101 Caldwell Road treats the supply through filtration and disinfection before distribution via municipal pipes. The utility can be reached at 607-273-4680 or 202 Water Street, Ithaca, NY 14850.

The Sixmile Creek Watershed spans Devonian-period limestone and shale terrains of the Finger Lakes basin, with limestone outcrops prevalent near Ithaca. These rock formations — including Hamilton Group limestones — dissolve to release calcium and magnesium, forming bicarbonates that raise alkalinity. Minerals leach from aquifer soils and carbonate bedrock during surface runoff and groundwater recharge, resulting in moderately mineralised to hard water typical of Central New York's limestone regions.

Hard water in Ithaca leads to scale buildup on faucets, fixtures, and inside pipes, reducing water flow and appliance efficiency. Most affected are water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers, where mineral deposits shorten lifespan and increase energy costs. Annual water heater flushing, vinegar cleaning of aerators, and regular descaling are recommended. A water softener is advised for homes. The 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report confirms compliance with all State health standards; lead and copper levels were below action limits in 2022 monitoring, and water quality scores 80/100 overall with no EPA violations.

Geology & Source: Finger Lakes region Devonian limestone and shale — Catskill Delta sequence; Hamilton Group limestones dissolve calcium and magnesium during recharge, imparting a hard character to the Sixmile Creek watershed supply

Other New York Water Reports

Cortland

211 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Elmira

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Auburn

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Endicott

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

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 Ithaca's water safe to drink?

Yes. Ithaca'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 Ithaca?

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

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