How does Coney Island's water compare to the national average?

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

Coney Island Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

472.2 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 Coney Island, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Coney Island	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 Coney Island compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Coney Island, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bensonhurst, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bath Beach, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Brighton Beach, New York	≈ 0–60 mg/L	6.9 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Gravesend, New York	≈ 0–60 mg/L	4.1 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Coney Island compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Coney Island	≈ 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 Coney Island's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 472.2 mg/LpH: 8.3

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) provides water to Coney Island in Brooklyn, Kings County, as part of the city's vast system serving over 8 million residents. Water is sourced from 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes in the Catskill/Delaware (90% of supply) and Croton (10%) watersheds upstate. It travels via aqueducts to distribution points, with blending at Hillview Reservoir. Treatment occurs primarily through disinfection at the Catskill and Croton systems, with UV and chlorine at key facilities like the Hillview and Croton plants; Coney Island receives blended surface water via local mains without site-specific treatment plants.

The Catskill/Delaware watershed spans 2,000 square miles of forested uplands in the Catskill Mountains and Delaware River basin, underlain by Devonian Catskill Formation sandstones and schists, which limit mineral leaching for a soft supply. The Croton system covers 375 square miles northeast of NYC with Paleozoic gneisses, granites, and localized carbonate rocks, contributing moderately mineralised water from greater soil-rock interaction. No aquifers are involved; surface reservoirs provide natural filtration, shaping a generally soft to moderately hard chemistry influenced by low-ion bedrock and vegetation.

Moderately hard water in Coney Island can lead to some scale buildup in kettles, showerheads, faucets, water heaters, and dishwashers — especially from Croton blend proportions. More soap may be needed for lathering, and minor residue may appear on skin or hair. Regular vinegar descaling of appliances, installing low-flow aerators, and wiping fixtures helps mitigate effects. A softener is optional but recommended for high-use households or older plumbing. NYC water meets federal standards with pH typically 6.5–8.5; PFAS detected below EPA limits, and chlorine byproducts (THMs/HAAs) may be elevated in summer; treatment includes UV disinfection, chlorination, and fluoridation, with no filtration required for the Catskill/Delaware system.

Geology & Source: Catskill/Delaware watershed — Devonian Catskill Formation sandstones and schists; Croton watershed — Paleozoic gneisses, granites, and localized carbonate rocks; blended surface reservoir supply yields soft to moderately hard character

Other New York Water Reports

Bensonhurst

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bath Beach

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Brighton Beach

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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 Coney Island's water safe to drink?

Yes. Coney Island'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 Coney Island?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Coney Island'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 Coney Island compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Coney Island (≈ 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 Coney Island 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.