Brooklyn Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
360 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
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 Brooklyn Heights, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Brooklyn Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -36% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Brooklyn Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Brooklyn Heights, New York | 150 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Financial District, New York | 157 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Chinatown, New York | 134.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| New York City, New York | 36 mg/L | 2.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Park Slope, New York | 132.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Brooklyn Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Brooklyn Heights | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Brooklyn Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Brooklyn Heights, New York, in Kings County (Brooklyn) — one of New York City's most historic and prestigious neighborhoods, the first designated historic district in New York City (1965), with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade — receives its municipal water from NYC DEP, which distributes the Catskill-Delaware Reservoir supply to Brooklyn through the Brooklyn-Queens Tunnel system.
The moderately hard 150 mg/L hardness and TDS of 360 mg/L are substantially harder than the Catskill-Delaware raw water character (typically ~15-30 mg/L), again reflecting the MWRA-like effect of NYC DEP's corrosion control treatment (lime addition to raise alkalinity and prevent lead/copper release from the aging NYC distribution system). Unlike the Catskill upstate communities, NYC's finished water after lime-soda softening and corrosion control addition reaches 120-170 mg/L throughout the five boroughs. Brooklyn Heights's 150 mg/L reading is consistent with the borough-wide average for NYC DEP Brooklyn supply zones.
At 150 mg/L, Brooklyn Heights's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Brooklyn Navy Yard (a former US Navy industrial complex — AFFF and industrial chemical legacy), the JFK Airport AFFF use on Jamaica Bay, and the dense Brooklyn-Queens industrial corridor contribute to the elevated PFAS in the NYC Brooklyn distribution zone.
Geology & Source: Brooklyn Heights in Kings County (Brooklyn) is served by NYC DEP on the Catskill-Delaware Reservoir system — treated at the Catskill-Delaware UV facility and distributed to Brooklyn via the NYC tunnel system — NYC Catskill-Delaware Devonian shale and sandstone watershed drainage produces moderately hard water at 150 mg/L with TDS 360 mg/L in this Brooklyn New York neighborhood.