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

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

Medford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

104.6 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 Medford, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Medford	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 Medford compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Medford, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Farmingville, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Holtsville, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
East Patchogue, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Coram, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Medford compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 104.6 mg/LpH: 6

Medford is a hamlet in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, served by local groundwater wells and supplemented by water purchased from New Jersey American Water (NJAW). The utility sources drinking water from the Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system underlying Long Island. Treatment and distribution infrastructure serves the Medford area as part of Suffolk County's broader water supply network. Residents seeking current compliance and contaminant data are encouraged to consult the most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the Medford Township or Suffolk County water authority, or contact their local water provider directly.

The Medford water supply originates from the Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer, a complex system of Quaternary glacial deposits — sand, gravel, and clay — overlying Cretaceous-age greensand and clay strata. The primary productive aquifers are the Magothy and Lloyd formations, which contain groundwater that has percolated through glacial and marine sedimentary layers. This geological setting imparts moderate mineral content to the water, particularly dissolved calcium and magnesium from glacial till and marine mineral deposits, resulting in a moderately mineralized supply typical of Long Island groundwater.

At moderately hard levels, Medford residents may observe scale buildup in kettles, reduced soap effectiveness, and mineral deposits on fixtures and glassware. Dishwashers and washing machines may require adjusted detergent dosing, and water heaters may accumulate sediment over time. A whole-house water softener is often recommended for households sensitive to hardness effects, though not universally necessary. Regular appliance maintenance and periodic descaling can mitigate mineral-related wear. Detailed water quality data — including pH, lead and copper compliance, and treatment process information — are available in the most recent annual drinking water quality report from the Medford Township or Suffolk County water authority.

Geology & Source: Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer — Suffolk County, Long Island; Quaternary glacial sand, gravel, and clay overlie Cretaceous greensand and clay; Magothy and Lloyd formations yield calcium and magnesium from glacial till — moderately hard

Other New York Water Reports

Farmingville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Holtsville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

East Patchogue

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Coram

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medford's water safe to drink?

Yes. Medford'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 Medford?

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

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