How does Bensonhurst's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Bensonhurst (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Bensonhurst Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

141.6 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Bensonhurst, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Bensonhurst	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Bensonhurst compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Bensonhurst, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bath Beach, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Coney Island, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Dyker Heights, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Gravesend, New York	≈ 0–60 mg/L	4.1 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Bensonhurst compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Bensonhurst	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Bensonhurst's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 141.6 mg/LpH: 7.5

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides water to Bensonhurst, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City. The supply is drawn from 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes in the Catskill/Delaware and Croton watersheds upstate. Water is conveyed via aqueducts to distribution points including Hillview Reservoir in Westchester County, then to city terminals like Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx for blending and distribution throughout the five boroughs, including Brooklyn's systems serving Bensonhurst. Treatment involves disinfection with chloramine at distribution points, with no filtration required for the Catskill/Delaware system due to watershed protection.

The Catskill/Delaware watershed spans over 2,000 square miles of protected forested lands in the Catskill Mountains and Delaware River basin, featuring Devonian-age sedimentary rocks like shales and sandstones overlain by glacial till, yielding a soft supply due to low-solubility rocks and soil filtration. The Croton watershed covers 375 square miles in Putnam and Westchester Counties, with bedrock of Precambrian gneisses, schists, and some Paleozoic limestones in the Hudson Highlands, contributing moderately mineralised water from contact with more reactive formations. The blended supply produces a moderately hard character citywide.

Moderately hard water in Bensonhurst can lead to moderate scale buildup in dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency over time. Soap and detergent usage may increase slightly, and skin or hair may feel less soft. Regular deliming of heating elements and using rinse aids in dishwashers helps mitigate effects. A water softener is generally not required but may be beneficial for households receiving higher Croton blend proportions. NYC DEP water typically has a pH of 7.0–8.5; the system complies with the Lead and Copper Rule, and PFAS levels are below EPA limits per recent reports, with over 600,000 annual tests ensuring compliance.

Geology & Source: Catskill/Delaware watershed — Devonian shales and sandstones with glacial till, minimal minerals; Croton watershed — Precambrian gneisses and schists with Paleozoic limestones; blended supply yields soft to moderately hard character

Other New York Water Reports

Bath Beach

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Coney Island

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Dyker Heights

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Gravesend

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bensonhurst's water safe to drink?

Yes. Bensonhurst's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Bensonhurst?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Bensonhurst's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Bensonhurst compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Bensonhurst (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Bensonhurst is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.