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

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

Massena 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

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

164 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 Massena, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Massena	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 Massena compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Massena, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Ogdensburg, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Fort Drum, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	106 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Watertown, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	11.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Plattsburgh, New York	≈ 0–60 mg/L	3.1 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Massena compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 164 mg/LpH: 8.1

Massena Village Municipal Water Company supplies about 15,742 residents in Massena, New York. Their water comes from the Saint Lawrence River, with an intake located on Route 131 north of the village. Treatment takes place at the Village's Water Treatment Plant on Pontoon Bridge Road. The utility's main office is at 60 Main Street, Massena, NY 13662, and they can be contacted at 315-769-3588.

The Saint Lawrence River watershed, which includes the Great Lakes drainage system, lies atop Precambrian crystalline bedrock like granite and gneiss. This is covered by Quaternary glacial deposits. The presence of limestone and dolomite formations within the upper Great Lakes area means these minerals dissolve into the river water. This geological mix results in a moderately hard water supply for Massena, a common characteristic for the St. Lawrence River system.

This moderately hard water can lead to some scale buildup in appliances like kettles, water heaters, and dishwashers over time, though it's less pronounced than in truly hard-water areas. You might notice a slight reduction in soap and detergent effectiveness, and occasional spotting on glassware and fixtures. While most homes don't absolutely need a water softener, some residents opt for point-of-use systems for specific appliances or to improve aesthetics. It's a good idea to descale water-using appliances periodically to keep them running efficiently. According to a notice from April 2026, contaminants like n-Propylbenzene, Diquat, Ethylbenzene, and Dichloroacetic acid may affect the local tap water.

Geology & Source: Precambrian crystalline bedrock (granite, gneiss); limestone and dolomite formations contribute to moderate hardness

Other New York Water Reports

Ogdensburg

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Fort Drum

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Watertown

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Plattsburgh

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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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 Massena's water safe to drink?

Yes. Massena'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 Massena?

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

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