Borough Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Borough Park in Brooklyn is served by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), supplying over 8 million residents across the five boroughs. Water is drawn from 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes in the Catskill/Delaware (90%) and Croton (10%) systems, located 100–120 miles north. Major facilities include the Hillview Reservoir distribution hub in Westchester County and treatment plants such as the Croton Water Treatment Plant, which employs UV disinfection and ozonation. Brooklyn receives blended surface water via aqueducts and tunnels without additional softening.

The Catskill/Delaware Watershed spans 2,000 square miles of protected forest, underlain by Devonian Catskill Delta clastics — shales and sandstones — and Silurian formations, with minimal limestone. Croton sources feature similar Paleozoic metamorphics and glacial deposits. This siliceous, low-carbonate geology, combined with peat bogs and evergreen forests, yields very soft water, as rainfall percolation avoids significant ion leaching from soluble rocks. The result is consistently low mineral content characteristic of the NYC supply.

Soft water minimizes scale buildup in pipes, kettles, and water heaters, extending appliance life and reducing energy costs. Dishwashers and washing machines perform efficiently with less detergent, and skin and hair feel softer. No water softener is needed or recommended, avoiding unnecessary sodium addition; occasional vinegar rinses suffice for any minor glassware spots. NYC DEP complies with the EPA Lead and Copper Rule, with 90th percentile lead below action levels citywide; over 600,000 annual tests confirm compliance for bacteria, heavy metals, and trihalomethanes. Treatment includes filtration, UV, ozone, and chloramine disinfection.