Fort Hamilton 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

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

294.2 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 Fort Hamilton, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Fort Hamilton	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 Fort Hamilton compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Fort Hamilton, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Dyker Heights, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bath Beach, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Sunset Park, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Borough Park, New York	≈ 0–60 mg/L	6.1 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Fort Hamilton compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Fort Hamilton	≈ 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 Fort Hamilton's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 294.2 mg/LpH: 7.9

Fort Hamilton, located in Brooklyn, New York, is served by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The NYC water system draws from multiple sources including the Catskill Mountains reservoirs — Ashokan, Schoharie, and others — and the Delaware River basin. Water is treated at multiple facilities before distribution to the five boroughs, including Brooklyn where Fort Hamilton is located.

The supply originates from the Catskill Mountains watershed and Delaware River basin, which drain Paleozoic-age sedimentary formations including shale, sandstone, and limited carbonate rocks. The glaciated upland terrain contributes relatively low dissolved mineral content compared to limestone-rich regions. This geology produces a moderately mineralised water supply, typical of northeastern U.S. mountain systems.

At moderately hard levels, residents may notice some mineral buildup in kettles, showerheads, and on glassware, though effects are less severe than in hard-water regions. Dishwashers and water heaters will experience gradual mineral accumulation but typically do not require immediate intervention. A water softener is optional; many residents manage with periodic descaling or rinse aids in dishwashers. The NYC DEP publishes an annual Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report available through the 311 portal, monitoring pH, lead, copper, and other contaminants; residents requiring specific water quality data for Fort Hamilton should consult that report or contact NYC311.

Geology & Source: Catskill Mountains watershed and Delaware River basin — Paleozoic shale and sandstone with limited carbonate rocks; glaciated upland terrain limits mineral dissolution; moderately mineralised supply

Other New York Water Reports

Dyker Heights

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bath Beach

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Sunset Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Borough Park

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Report an Issue

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 Fort Hamilton's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fort Hamilton'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 Fort Hamilton?

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

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