Queensbury Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
6.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
201 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Queensbury, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Queensbury | 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 Queensbury compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Queensbury, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Glens Falls, New York | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Wilton, New York | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Saratoga Springs, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 24 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Clifton Park, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Queensbury compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Queensbury | ≈ 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 Queensbury's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Queensbury Water District, operated by the Town of Queensbury, New York, serves approximately 40,172 residents in the Queensbury area of Warren County. The utility sources its drinking water exclusively from the Hudson River, a surface water supply, via the Low-Lift Pump Station on the river shore adjacent to the Sherman Island Dam. Water undergoes conventional treatment including disinfection with hypochlorite. Contact the utility at 518-793-8866 or 823 Corinth Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.
The Hudson River watershed drains a vast area through the Hudson Valley, shaped by ancient Appalachian mountain belt geology with prominent Devonian-age shales, sandstones, and Cambro-Ordovician limestones, plus Precambrian gneisses and schists. Glacial till and outwash from the last ice age overlay these formations, influencing surface water chemistry with moderate mineral dissolution from carbonate-bearing rocks. This yields a moderately mineralised supply prone to natural variability from upstream tributaries and seasonal sediment loads, without reliance on groundwater aquifers.
Moderately hard water promotes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency over time and increasing energy costs. Plumbing fixtures may develop limescale, and soaps may lather less effectively. Regular maintenance such as deliming heating elements and using scale inhibitors helps; a water softener is often recommended for households with older pipes or high-use appliances. The 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report confirms no MCL violations; treatment involves conventional filtration and hypochlorite disinfection. Water quality grades as good, with routine monitoring for TTHMs and lead/copper compliance.
Geology & Source: Hudson River surface supply — Low-Lift Pump Station at Sherman Island Dam; Devonian-Ordovician shales, sandstones, and limestones; glacial deposits over Precambrian gneisses; carbonate-bearing geology yields moderately mineralised water
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queensbury's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Queensbury?
How does Queensbury compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Queensbury is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.