Olean Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
173.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Olean, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Olean | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Olean compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Olean, New York | 93.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Saint Marys, Pennsylvania | 140.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Jamestown, New York | 115 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lackawanna, New York | 168.5 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Seneca, New York | 152 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Olean compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Olean | 93.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Olean's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Olean, New York, in Cattaraugus County — the Cattaraugus County seat adjacent to Salamanca and Bradford PA on the Allegheny River in southwest New York — receives its water from the Olean Water Department, drawing from the Allegheny River or Olean Creek reservoir (Cattaraugus County) through the southwest New York water treatment system.
The moderately hard 93.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 173.5 mg/L reflect the southwest New York Cattaraugus County Allegheny Plateau supply's moderate character — consistent with other Cattaraugus County Allegheny River communities drawing from the Devonian shale-sandstone watershed with limited calcareous input from glacial till deposits. The Olean watershed at Cattaraugus County drains the Allegheny Plateau — Devonian Catskill Formation (insoluble — primary dilutant), Devonian Senecan Formation (slightly calcareous — minor contributor), and Pleistocene calcareous glacial till (calcareous — primary hardness contributor).
At 93.5 mg/L, Olean's water is moderately hard — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Cattaraugus County southwest New York industrial corridor and the Allegheny River basin PFAS legacy contribute to Olean's readings.
Geology & Source: Olean in Cattaraugus County draws from the Olean Water Department on the Allegheny River or Olean Creek reservoir (Cattaraugus County, southwest New York) — the watershed drains the Allegheny Plateau (Devonian Catskill Formation — insoluble shale-sandstone) with minor calcareous till — New York Cattaraugus County Allegheny Plateau Devonian shale watershed produces moderately hard water at 93.5 mg/L with TDS 173.5 mg/L.