Corvallis Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
78.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.11
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 Corvallis, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Corvallis | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -4% |
| Washing Machine | 12.1 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 13.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -7% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Corvallis compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Corvallis, Oregon | 41.5 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Albany, Oregon | 55 mg/L | 1.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Lebanon, Oregon | 42.5 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Dallas, Oregon | 92.5 mg/L | 2.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Salem, Oregon | 82 mg/L | 2.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Corvallis compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Corvallis | 41.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Corvallis's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Corvallis, Oregon, the Benton County seat on the Willamette River — home of Oregon State University, the 'City of Trees,' and a major Willamette Valley agricultural and technology (Hewlett-Packard's Corvallis campus) hub — draws its municipal water supply from the Marys River and Willamette River via the City of Corvallis Water Division, treating Oregon Coast Range watershed water for the Corvallis area. Water hardness in Corvallis measures 41.5 mg/L — classified as very soft.
Corvallis' very soft supply reflects the Marys River's Oregon Coast Range geology. The Marys River above Corvallis drains: the Oregon Coast Range — Eocene Tyee Formation (turbidite marine sandstone — predominantly quartz and lithic sand with minimal calcareous cement, derived from Eocene Pacific arc volcanism); Eocene Nestucca Formation (calcareous marine mudstone — some minor calcareous contribution); the Coast Range Basalt (Eocene submarine basalt flows — mafic, calcium-poor mafic volcanic terrain); and the Quaternary Willamette Valley alluvium (minimally calcareous). The dominant Eocene marine sandstone and basalt of the Oregon Coast Range is calcium-poor, producing the very soft 41.5 mg/L at Corvallis.
With hardness at 41.5 mg/L, Corvallis residents enjoy very soft water with essentially no scale challenges. City of Corvallis Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Oregon DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Marys River watershed and Willamette River via the City of Corvallis Water Division — the Oregon Coast Range (Eocene Tyee and Nestucca Formations marine sandstone and basalt) and the Willamette Valley floor; very soft supply at 41.5 mg/L — reflecting the Coast Range's calcium-poor marine sandstone watershed drainage.