Oswego Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
217.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Oswego, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Oswego | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 11.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Oswego compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oswego, New York | 109 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Clay, New York | 147 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Cicero, New York | 140 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Auburn, New York | 137.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Syracuse, New York | 109 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Oswego compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oswego | 109 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Oswego home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Oswego's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Oswego, New York, in Oswego County — the Oswego County seat adjacent to Fulton and Minetto at the mouth of the Oswego River on Lake Ontario in central New York — receives its municipal water from the Oswego Water Division, drawing from Lake Ontario at the Oswego intake (Oswego County).
The moderately hard 109 mg/L hardness and TDS of 217.5 mg/L reflect the Lake Ontario supply's Silurian Niagara Dolomite carbonate character — softer than western New York Lake Erie communities (Lackawanna: 168.5 mg/L) but in the same regional Great Lakes moderate range. Lake Ontario is the most downstream of the Great Lakes, receiving input from all upper lakes, and drains the Oswego River watershed (Silurian Niagara Dolomite — the primary regional carbonate), plus calcareous Pleistocene Ontario Lobe till.
At 109 mg/L, Oswego'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 5.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Griffiss Air Force Base (Oneida County — AFFF in the Mohawk-Oswego watershed), the Oswego County industrial corridor, and the central New York PFAS background contribute to Oswego's readings.
Geology & Source: Oswego in Oswego County draws from the Oswego Water Division on Lake Ontario (Oswego County, central New York) — Lake Ontario receives Great Lakes drainage and the Oswego River watershed (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene Ontario Lobe till) — New York Lake Ontario Silurian dolomite carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 109 mg/L with TDS 217.5 mg/L in this Oswego County New York city.