Elwood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
142.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 Elwood, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Elwood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -18% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Elwood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Elwood, New York | 83.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| East Northport, New York | 174 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Greenlawn, New York | 94.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Dix Hills, New York | 134.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Commack, New York | 174 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Elwood compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Elwood | 83.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Elwood home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Elwood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Elwood, New York, in Suffolk County — a Suffolk County hamlet adjacent to Huntington and East Northport in central Long Island — receives its water from the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), drawing from the Long Island Aquifer system through the central Long Island distribution.
The soft 83.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 142.2 mg/L reflect the Suffolk County Long Island Aquifer supply's soft character — the Cretaceous Magothy Formation contains slightly calcareous clay and sand, while the Pleistocene Ronkonkoma Moraine contributes modest calcareous mineral content from its glacially-deposited till (compare Huntington NY: 81/137 in Suffolk County comparable; East Northport NY: 85/147 in Suffolk County comparable; Elwood consistent soft from the same Suffolk County Long Island Aquifer Cretaceous supply). The Long Island Aquifer — Cretaceous Magothy Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Pleistocene Ronkonkoma Moraine (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Long Island glacial deposits (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 83.5 mg/L with TDS 142, Elwood's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.1 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the Suffolk County Water Authority's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Elwood in Suffolk County draws from the Suffolk County Water Authority on the Long Island Aquifer (Suffolk County, central Long Island) — the Long Island aquifer draws from Cretaceous Magothy Formation (slightly calcareous) and Pleistocene Ronkonkoma Moraine (slightly calcareous) — New York Suffolk County Long Island Aquifer Cretaceous supply produces soft water at 83.5 mg/L with TDS 142.2 mg/L.