Schoharie, New York's Home for
Water Softeners, Water Filters,
and Water Delivery

The information above covers Schoharie’s public water system. If your home draws from a private well instead, none of those numbers describe your water. Wells here bring their own concerns, including iron staining, sulfur odor, hardness, manganese and bacteria, and a municipal water quality report will not tell you about any of them. Our well water treatment in Schoharie, NY page covers what is actually in local well water and how it gets treated.

Schoharie’s public water system treats and disinfects its drinking water before distribution, but testing still detects or monitors substances such as lead, copper, nitrate, chlorine residual, disinfection byproducts, chloride, sulfate, barium, and other contaminants. Many homeowners choose additional water testing or filtration for better taste, added confidence, and more control over the water used inside the home.

Schoharie receives its drinking water from two springs located on Barton Hill north of Route 443. These are Young’s Spring and Dugan Hill Spring, both of which are considered surface water sources.

Water from the springs is filtered at the village filtration plant and chlorinated for disinfection. The system also uses corrosion control treatment to help reduce copper and other metals that may enter water from plumbing.

Yes. Free chlorine residual was reported between 0.2 and 4 mg/L. Chlorine is used to control microorganisms, but some homeowners may notice chlorine-related taste or odor. Whole-house carbon filtration can help reduce chlorine throughout the home.

Yes. Haloacetic Acids, or HAA5, had a running annual average of 29.05 µg/L, while Total Trihalomethanes, or TTHMs, had a running annual average of 30.52 µg/L. These compounds can form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic material in the water source.

Yes. Lead was detected at a highest reported level of 0.0109 µg/L during the most recent sampling shown, while copper had a highest reported result of 0.592 mg/L. The village notes that lead and copper can enter water through household plumbing systems, so conditions can vary from one home to another.

Yes. Nitrate was detected at 2.31 mg/L. Nitrate can enter water through fertilizer runoff, septic systems, sewage, and natural deposits. Because nitrate levels can vary over time, homeowners with specific concerns may choose to test the water coming directly from their tap.

Testing detected or monitored substances including chloride, sodium, sulfate, copper, lead, nitrate, chlorine residual, HAA5, TTHMs, fluoride, barium, and beta particle and photon activity from manmade radionuclides. Turbidity was also monitored as part of the treatment process.

Chlorine, minerals, organic material, and other dissolved substances can all affect taste and odor. Schoharie uses chlorine as part of its treatment process, and disinfection byproducts were also detected. Carbon filtration can help reduce chlorine-related tastes and odors and certain related compounds.

A specific hardness measurement was not listed in the water quality information provided. Homes can still experience mineral-related concerns such as spotting, scale buildup, dry-feeling skin, or soap that does not lather well. A local water test can help determine whether a water softener would be beneficial.

Yes. The Village of Schoharie has a waiver from monitoring requirements for several inorganic contaminants, including antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cyanide, fluoride, mercury, nickel, selenium, and thallium. The waiver is based on those contaminants either not being detected or being found at consistently low levels during prior monitoring. Sampling may still be required if circumstances change.

The village reported compliance with the Revised Total Coliform Rule and noted that no Level 1 or Level 2 assessments were required due to unsatisfactory samples. The report also explains that the village operates under a monitoring waiver for certain inorganic contaminants, with waiver dates extending through December 31, 2026.

A water filter may be helpful for homeowners who want to reduce chlorine taste and odor, disinfection byproducts, lead, or other substances at the tap. Reverse osmosis is commonly used for drinking and cooking water, while whole-house carbon filtration can address certain water quality concerns throughout the home.

Schoharie residents can obtain local drinking water quality information from the Village of Schoharie. Homeowners who want to better understand the water coming directly from their own faucets can also schedule a local water test with Culligan.