Plattsburgh Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
105 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 Plattsburgh, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Plattsburgh | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Plattsburgh compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Plattsburgh, New York | 68 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Burlington, Vermont | 85 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Colchester, Vermont | 19.5 mg/L | 1.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| South Burlington, Vermont | 55.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Rutland, Vermont | 30.5 mg/L | 2.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Plattsburgh compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Plattsburgh | 68 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Plattsburgh's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Plattsburgh, New York, in Clinton County — the Clinton County seat on the western shore of Lake Champlain at the mouth of the Saranac River, a historic city known for the Battle of Plattsburgh (War of 1812), home of State University of New York at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh) — receives its municipal water from the City of Plattsburgh Water Treatment Plant, which draws directly from Lake Champlain at the Plattsburgh intake.
The moderately soft 68 mg/L hardness and TDS of 105 mg/L reflect Lake Champlain's mixed Adirondack-Vermont drainage character. Lake Champlain receives drainage from both the Adirondack Mountains (soft — Precambrian anorthosite, Lyon Mountain Gneiss, and Adirondack massif crystalline rocks) on the New York west shore and the Vermont Green Mountains (mixed soft-to-moderate — Cambrian Champlain Thrust Belt carbonate and Taconian schist) on the Vermont east shore. The combined Adirondack and Green Mountains drainage produces the moderately soft 68 mg/L reading — harder than pure Adirondack water (20-40 mg/L) but softer than the Vermont limestone corridor.
At 68 mg/L, Plattsburgh's water is moderately soft — comfortable for household use. Scale forms slowly, soap lathers well, and appliances operate efficiently. Semi-annual descaling is adequate. The PFAS level of 3.4 ppt is relatively low — Plattsburgh Air Force Base (former — now Plattsburgh International Airport, a significant AFFF legacy site in the Lake Champlain watershed) is the primary PFAS source, with remediation ongoing at the former base site.
Geology & Source: Plattsburgh in Clinton County draws from the City of Plattsburgh Water Treatment on Lake Champlain — Lake Champlain drains the Adirondack Mountains (Precambrian Adirondack Massif anorthosite and gneiss) and the Vermont Green Mountains (Cambrian marble and quartzite) — Adirondack crystalline and Vermont calcareous mixed watershed drainage produces moderately soft water at 68 mg/L with TDS 105 mg/L in this Clinton County New York city.