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

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

Fordham Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Fordham	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 Fordham compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Fordham, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
University Heights, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Tremont, New York	≈ 0–60 mg/L	7.3 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
East Tremont, New York	177.5 mg/L	8.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Kings Bridge, New York	≈ 180+ mg/L	7.7 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Fordham compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Fordham	≈ 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 Fordham's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 276.3 mg/LpH: 7.9

Fordham, New York is served by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCEP), which operates one of the largest municipal water systems in the United States. The system draws from multiple reservoirs in the Catskill and Delaware watersheds, located in the Appalachian highlands north and west of the city. Water is treated at multiple facilities before distribution to residents in the Bronx and surrounding areas, with comprehensive coagulation, filtration, and disinfection applied to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Catskill and Delaware watersheds drain Paleozoic sedimentary formations dominated by shale, sandstone, and limestone. These rock units, deposited during the Paleozoic Era, contain dissolved minerals — primarily calcium and magnesium carbonates — that contribute to the moderately mineralized character of the supply. The geology of the source areas, combined with long reservoir residence time, results in water with moderate mineral content typical of northeastern U.S. surface supplies.

Fordham's water is moderately hard, meaning residents may notice gradual scale buildup on fixtures, water heaters, and dishwashers over time, and soap may not lather as readily as in soft-water areas. Water softeners or filters can help address hardness concerns and improve taste and odor. Periodic maintenance manages mineral accumulation in appliances. Water quality is rated excellent with a violation score of 0.0 — 100% below the national average — and the NYCEP maintains full federal and state regulatory compliance.

Geology & Source: Catskill and Delaware watersheds, Appalachian region; Paleozoic sedimentary formations — shale, sandstone, and limestone; calcium and magnesium from carbonate formations yield moderately mineralized supply

Other New York Water Reports

University Heights

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Tremont

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

East Tremont

177.5 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Kings Bridge

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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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 Fordham's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fordham'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 Fordham?

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

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