Hardness
Soft
7.2 PPM · 0.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Watertown, NY 13601
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Jefferson County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Watertown City
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Jefferson County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0063 mg/L
42% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 27,861 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
7.2 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
7.2
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
0.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 7.2 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
53
Nearest site
1.4 mi
Observation range
Jan 12, 2016–May 19, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: BLACK RIVER AT WATERTOWN NY (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 13601 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Watertown median
7 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 7.2–7.2 PPM
New York median
120 PPM
113 PPM lower132 indexed ZIP readings · Range 7.2–290 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.0063 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0063
EPA limit 0.015
TTHM
Measured in UG/L
Local 88.9
EPA limit 0.08
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 3
- Health-based
- 3
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | NY2202346 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 88.9 UG/L · MCL 0.08 | NY2202346 | Archived | Jan 1, 2022through Mar 31, 2022 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 89.9 UG/L · MCL 0.08 | NY2202346 | Archived | Oct 1, 2021through Dec 31, 2021 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Watertown ZIP 13601 using 7.2 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
TTHM has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Watertown
Is tap water safe in Watertown?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 7.2 PPM, or 0.4 grains per gallon, classified as soft. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.