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North Merrick Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

2.8mg/L
Soft

0.2 grains per gallon

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

βœ“ Below action level

TDS

108.3 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.01

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below Β· Updated 2026

2.8mg/L as CaCO₃Soft

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 North Merrick, your appliances are currently losing 0% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn North MerrickSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
9.5 yrs
8.5 yrsβ€”
Washing Machine
13.5 yrs
12 yrsβ€”
Water Heater
15.5 yrs
15 yrsβ€”

Regional Water Comparison

How North Merrick compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
β–Ά North Merrick, New York2.8 mg/L3.4 ppt🟒 Softreservoir
East Meadow, New Yorkβ‰ˆ 120–179 mg/L7.3 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Roosevelt, New York34.4 mg/L3.5 ppt🟒 Softreservoir
North Bellmore, New Yorkβ‰ˆ 0–60 mg/L8.3 ppt🟒 Softreservoir
Merrick, New York10.95 mg/L18.8 ppt🟒 Softgroundwater

National Benchmark

How North Merrick compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
β–Ά North Merrick2.8 mg/L🟒 None
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟒 None

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What Makes North Merrick's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 108.3 mg/LpH: 7.4

New York American Water supplies approximately 22,097 residents in North Merrick, Merrick, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Seaford, Wantagh, and parts of Levittown, Massapequa, and East Massapequa in Nassau County, New York. Their water originates from 16 groundwater wells drawing from the local aquifer system beneath Long Island. Standard groundwater treatment, including disinfection and corrosion control, occurs at wellhead facilities, as there are no surface water treatment plants. The watershed is essentially Long Island's groundwater recharge area, where precipitation filters through glacial deposits into the subsurface aquifers.

The water comes from the Upper Glacial aquifer, composed of Pleistocene sands and gravels, and the deeper Magothy aquifer, part of the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain. This geology, characterized by sandy strata with minimal limestone, naturally results in soft water. The low concentration of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium means little mineral pickup, giving the water a low total dissolved solids (TDS) character that requires no significant softening.

Because the water is soft, you'll find it poses minimal risk of scaling in your plumbing, leaving little to no mineral deposits on pipes or fixtures. Appliances such as water heaters and dishwashers should see extended lifespans without the buildup typically caused by hard water. Soap lathers easily, so you won't need to use excessive amounts of detergent. While a water softener isn't necessary, basic filtration might be considered if you have concerns about taste. Routine checks for corrosion are advisable, as very soft water can sometimes be aggressive toward metal pipes. The supply's pH averages 7.06, which is neutral, and it meets federal standards for lead and copper.

Geology & Source: Pleistocene and Cretaceous formations; unconsolidated sands and gravels overlying the Magothy Formation yield soft water due to low dissolved calcium and magnesium.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Merrick's water safe to drink?
Yes. North Merrick's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 2.8 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in North Merrick?
North Merrick's water is soft at 2.8 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.
How does North Merrick compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. North Merrick (2.8 mg/L) is 148 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 North Merrick 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 β€” the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

pH

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock β€” values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS β€” 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 β€” Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) β€” 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 β€” 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.