Ada Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
487.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.62
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 Ada, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ada | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -78% |
| Washing Machine | 5 yrs | 12 yrs | -58% |
| Water Heater | 6.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -58% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ada compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ada, Oklahoma | 232 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Shawnee, Oklahoma | 92.5 mg/L | 2.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Ardmore, Oklahoma | 277.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Durant, Oklahoma | 373.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Norman, Oklahoma | 132.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ada compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ada | 232 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Ada's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ada, Oklahoma, in Pontotoc County — the Pontotoc County seat adjacent to Coalgate and Sulphur in south-central Oklahoma, home of East Central University — receives its municipal water from the Ada Water Division, drawing from Arbuckle Lake (Pontotoc County) through the Ada treatment plant.
The very hard 232 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 487.1 mg/L reflect the south-central Oklahoma Arbuckle Mountains carbonate character. Arbuckle Lake and its watershed drain the Arbuckle Mountains — Ordovician Arbuckle Group dolomite and Viola Limestone (the dominant south-central Oklahoma carbonate platform — among the oldest exposed carbonate sequences in the USA), Cambrian Timbered Hills Group limestone (high-purity ancient carbonate), and Devonian Hunton Group (calcareous). The ancient Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate platform produces the very hard Arbuckle-sourced supply.
At 232 mg/L, Ada's water is very hard — scale builds rapidly in kettles and appliances, and a water softener is strongly recommended. Monthly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Pontotoc County oil and gas production corridor (south-central Oklahoma Arkoma Basin), the Ada industrial background, and the south Oklahoma PFAS contribution produce Ada's readings.
Geology & Source: Ada in Pontotoc County draws from the Ada Water Division on Arbuckle Lake (Pontotoc County, south-central Oklahoma) — the Arbuckle watershed drains the Arbuckle Mountains (Ordovician Arbuckle Group dolomite-limestone, Cambrian Timbered Hills limestone) — Oklahoma Pontotoc County Arbuckle Lake Ordovician-Cambrian carbonate watershed produces very hard water at 232 mg/L with TDS 487.1 mg/L in this Pontotoc County Oklahoma city.