Newburgh Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Newburgh, New York, in Orange County — a major mid-Hudson Valley Orange County city (Newburgh is a significant Orange County city — a mid-Hudson Valley community at a bend of the Hudson River opposite Beacon; Newburgh has one of the most historically important concentrations of 19th century architecture in New York State — the East End Historic District contains what experts consider one of the finest collections of Victorian residential architecture in the Hudson Valley; Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh is where George Washington made two of the most significant decisions of the Revolutionary War (Washington rejected calls for a military coup in Newburgh in 1783 — one of the most important moments in American democratic history — and issued the Cessation of Hostilities, effectively ending the war)); Newburgh has faced significant urban challenges since the post-WWII era — it is one of the poorer cities in New York State despite its remarkable architectural and historical heritage — draws its municipal water supply via the City of Newburgh Water Division. Water hardness in Newburgh measures 162.5 mg/L — classified as hard.

Newburgh's hard supply reflects the mid-Hudson Orange County watershed's calcareous character with limited treatment. The Newburgh Water Division reservoir system draws from the Precambrian Hudson Highlands gneiss (calcareous-poor), but distribution produces the hard 162.5 mg/L.

At 162.5 mg/L, Newburgh residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. City of Newburgh Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all New York State DEC and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.