Albany Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Albany Water Department, also serving Millersburg, supplies approximately 54,945 residents in Albany, Oregon, located in Linn County along the Willamette Valley. Water sources include surface water from the Calapooia River and groundwater from local wells in the Willamette Basin aquifer system. Treatment occurs at the city's water filtration plant using conventional processes — coagulation, filtration, and disinfection — to ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water standards. For inquiries, contact the utility at 541-791-0175 or visit albanyoregon.gov.

The Calapooia River watershed drains from the Cascade foothills into the Willamette Valley, interacting with permeable alluvial soils and fractured bedrock. Underlying geology includes Tertiary sedimentary rocks from ancient marine environments — including siltstones and sandstones of the Tyee Formation (Eocene–Miocene) — which release alkaline earth metals as water percolates through them. Quaternary alluvial deposits overlying these formations further concentrate dissolved minerals, producing a moderately mineralised supply shaped by the region's combined volcanic and marine sedimentary history.

At moderately hard levels, Albany's water causes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and showerheads, where mineral deposits clog nozzles and insulate heating elements, raising energy costs. Regular vinegar descaling of aerators, installing low-flow showerheads, and checking anode rods annually are recommended. A water softener is advised for households noticing soap scum, dry skin, or spotted dishes. Albany met all EPA and state standards with no MCL violations in 2025 reports, though independent monitoring flagged 5 contaminants above health guidelines, and filtration is recommended for additional protection.