Ada Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
487.1 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 Ada, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ada | 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 Ada compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ada, Oklahoma | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Shawnee, Oklahoma | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 29.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Ardmore, Oklahoma | 277.5 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Durant, Oklahoma | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Norman, Oklahoma | 73 mg/L | 53.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ada compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ada | ≈ 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 Ada's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ada Water Company, operated by the City of Ada, provides drinking water to approximately 23,221 residents in Ada, Oklahoma (Pontotoc County). The utility sources its supply exclusively from groundwater, with no specific wellfield names detailed in available reports. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports are published, with the 2025 report covering 2024 data accessible via state DEQ systems. The utility may be contacted at 231 S. Townsend Street, Ada, OK 74820, or through Utility Plants Superintendent Marty York at (580) 436-8100.
Ada's groundwater recharges through the local hydrogeological basin tied to the Pennsylvanian-age Vamoosa-Ada and related aquifers, which consist of interbedded sandstones, shales, and limestones from ancient sedimentary deposits — part of Oklahoma's principal aquifer systems within the broader Arbuckle-Timbered Hills system. These formations feature limestone, dolomite, and evaporitic rocks rich in calcium and magnesium. Prolonged contact with carbonate-rich strata during recharge releases dissolved minerals, imparting a characteristically hard supply with elevated mineral content throughout the region.
Hard water causes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan; laundry may feel stiff and soap efficiency drops, increasing detergent use. Regular descaling of faucets, pipes, and fixtures is advised, and a water softener is recommended for households to mitigate spotting on glassware, dry skin and hair, and appliance strain. Tap water has shown contaminants above EPA health-based guidelines including Desethylatrazine and Cyanide; the utility complies with federal standards per CCRs with no recent violations, and filters are recommended for extra protection.
Geology & Source: Vamoosa-Ada aquifer — Pennsylvanian interbedded sandstones, shales, and limestones; Arbuckle-Timbered Hills carbonate and evaporitic strata dissolve calcium and magnesium during groundwater recharge; hard water typical of central Oklahoma
Other Oklahoma Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Ada compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Ada 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.