Jackson Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
240.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.31
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 Jackson Heights, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Jackson Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -22% |
| Water Heater | 10.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Jackson Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Jackson Heights, New York | 117 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Elmhurst, New York | 80.5 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| East Elmhurst, New York | 166.5 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Woodside, New York | 89 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Corona, New York | 74.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Jackson Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Jackson Heights | 117 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Jackson Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Jackson Heights, New York — a densely populated, highly diverse Queens neighborhood with one of the most vibrant South Asian and Latin American immigrant communities in the United States — receives its municipal water supply from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Catskill–Delaware and Croton Aqueduct systems, distributed through the Queens borough water distribution network. Jackson Heights is in the north-central Queens distribution zone between Flushing Meadows–Corona Park and Long Island City. Water hardness in Jackson Heights measures 117 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Jackson Heights' moderately hard supply — between Manhattan (107.5 mg/L) and harder Queens zones — reflects the north-central Queens distribution zone's infrastructure. Jackson Heights is served through the northern Queens distribution network in the area bounded by the Long Island Expressway and Northern Boulevard corridors. The distribution mains serving the dense Jackson Heights apartment district (developed predominantly 1910s–1940s for the original Queens garden apartment complexes) are moderately aged cast-iron infrastructure, producing moderate mineral accumulation above the soft Catskill–Delaware source. The 117 mg/L is consistent with the northern Queens intermediate hardness zone between the soft Manhattan supply and the harder southeastern Queens zones.
At 117 mg/L, Jackson Heights residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical maintenance. NYC DEP consistently delivers water meeting all New York State DOH and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the New York City DEP Catskill–Delaware Aqueduct via the NYC DEP Queens borough distribution — the north-central Queens Jackson Heights distribution zone; moderately hard supply at 117 mg/L — somewhat harder than Manhattan (107.5 mg/L) but softer than eastern Queens zones — reflecting the north-central Queens distribution infrastructure vintage.