Kenmore Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
356.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Kenmore, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kenmore | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Kenmore compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kenmore, New York | 147.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Tonawanda, New York | 141.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Eggertsville, New York | 67.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Amherst, New York | 119 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| North Tonawanda, New York | 69.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Kenmore compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kenmore | 147.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kenmore's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kenmore, New York, in Erie County — an Erie County village adjacent to Tonawanda and the north Buffalo suburb on Niagara River in western New York — receives its water from the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA), drawing from Lake Erie (Erie County) through the Buffalo metro distribution.
The moderately hard 147.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 356.6 mg/L reflect the western New York Lake Erie supply's moderate Silurian dolomitic character — somewhat softer than the northeast Ohio Lake Erie communities (Bay Village: 235 mg/L) due to the western Lake Erie basin's lower Silurian evaporitic concentration. Lake Erie at Erie County receives drainage from the Great Lakes Basin — Silurian Lockport Dolomite (dolomite — primary TDS contributor), Silurian Niagara Group (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Devonian Hamilton Formation (calcareous shale — secondary contributor).
At 147.5 mg/L, Kenmore's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.3 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (Niagara County — AFFF, the primary western New York PFAS source), the Niagara River PFAS background from the Niagara chemical industrial corridor, and the Lake Erie industrial PFAS legacy contribute to Kenmore's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Kenmore in Erie County draws from the Erie County Water Authority on Lake Erie (Erie County, western New York) — Lake Erie receives drainage from Silurian Niagara Group dolomite and evaporitic salinas (Silurian Lockport Dolomite) — New York Erie County Lake Erie Silurian evaporitic dolomite watershed produces moderately hard water at 147.5 mg/L with TDS 356.6 mg/L.