Melrose Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
106.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Melrose, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Melrose | 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 Melrose compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Melrose, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Morrisania, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Mott Haven, New York | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Tremont, New York | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Morris Heights, New York | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Melrose compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Melrose | ≈ 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 Melrose's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Melrose, New York, receives municipal water service in Dutchess County, though the specific utility name, treatment plant facilities, and primary water sources were not confirmed in publicly available sources. The community is recorded as receiving water service, with a waterSource classification of reservoir. The town's published Consumer Confidence Report would provide authoritative details on the serving utility, treatment plant location, and regulatory compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. Consumer confidence reports are published annually and document treatment processes and contaminant monitoring results.
The Melrose area lies in the Hudson Valley region of New York, characterized by Precambrian metamorphic bedrock and Pleistocene glacial deposits. The underlying geology includes gneiss, schist, and marble formations typical of the Hudson Highlands, and this geological setting influences local water chemistry and mineral content. Specific aquifer names and detailed hydrogeological characterization were not available in publicly accessible sources, though the regional metamorphic character generally contributes to moderate mineralisation.
Melrose's water supply is classified as moderately hard at 68.5 mg/L (4 grains per gallon). At this level, residents may notice moderate scale buildup in kettles, coffee makers, and showerheads over time; washing machines and dishwashers may see somewhat reduced efficiency, and soap and detergent effectiveness is modestly diminished. Most households do not require water softening at this level, though some residents may choose point-of-use softeners for specific appliances. Residents should consult the most recent Consumer Confidence Report for pH, lead and copper compliance data, disinfection byproducts, and PFAS testing results.
Geology & Source: Bronx distribution zone — NYC DEP Catskill-Delaware Watershed reservoir system; Devonian and Silurian shale and sandstone of Catskill Mountain highlands with negligible carbonate yield soft, low-TDS supply
Other New York Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melrose's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Melrose?
How does Melrose compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Melrose is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.