Four Corners Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
253.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.26
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 Four Corners, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Four Corners | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -22% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Four Corners compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Four Corners, Oregon | 98.5 mg/L | 2.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Salem, Oregon | 82 mg/L | 2.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hayesville, Oregon | 27.5 mg/L | 1.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Keizer, Oregon | 83 mg/L | 2.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Woodburn, Oregon | 30.5 mg/L | 1.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Four Corners compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Four Corners | 98.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Four Corners's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Four Corners, Oregon, in Marion County — an unincorporated Marion County community adjacent to Salem and Keizer in the north Willamette Valley — receives its municipal water from the City of Salem Public Works, drawing from the North Santiam River (Marion County) through the Salem Water Treatment Plant, supplemented by local Willamette Valley groundwater.
The moderately hard 98.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 253.9 mg/L are harder than pure North Santiam Cascade snowmelt runoff (~40-60 mg/L), suggesting Four Corners' supply includes significant Willamette Valley Alluvial Aquifer groundwater blending. The North Santiam River drains the Western Cascade Range — Miocene Western Cascades andesite (low solubility), Quaternary High Cascades basalt (moderately insoluble). The Willamette Valley Alluvial Aquifer (calcareous alluvial gravel — moderately calcareous) blending introduces the additional hardness above the surface water baseline.
At 98.5 mg/L, Four Corners' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 2.7 ppt is low — the Marion County north Willamette Valley has very limited major AFFF military sources, and the North Santiam Cascade headwaters are relatively pristine.
Geology & Source: Four Corners in Marion County draws from the City of Salem Water on the North Santiam River and local wells (Marion County, north Willamette Valley) — the North Santiam drains the Western Cascade Range (Miocene Western Cascades andesite) and the Willamette Valley Alluvial Aquifer (calcareous) — Oregon Marion County North Santiam-Willamette Valley blended supply produces moderately hard water at 98.5 mg/L with TDS 253.9 mg/L in this Marion County Oregon community.