Water hardness in Utica
1.1 gpg soft
Tap water in Utica is soft: 1.1 gpg (19 mg/L · 1.1 °dH · 1.9 °fH).
Source: MVWA 2024 Annual Water Quality Report (2024) · data checked 2026-10-20
Utica's water comes from Hinckley Reservoir through the Mohawk Valley Water Authority. The 2024 report lists 17 mg/L of hardness in the raw reservoir water and 19 mg/L in finished water at Cavanaugh Tank (1.1 gpg). This is very soft water. Scale is not a concern, and a softener would add little.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 1.1 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Mohawk Valley Water Authority (MVWA) |
How Utica compares
- Tap water in Utica is 88 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1334 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 3 % of these cities have softer water.
- In New York it is number 16 of 16 cities; the regional median is 5.2 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Oneida, 34 km away (1.4 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Utica
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Utica water hard or soft?
It is soft: 19 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.1 gpg, 1.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Utica safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Utica water?
1.1 gpg, equal to 1.1 °dH, 1.9 °fH or 19 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Utica?
For 19 mg/L (1.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Utica?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: MVWA 2024 Annual Water Quality Report (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. MVWA 2024 Annual Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us