North Valley Stream Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
119 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.20
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 North Valley Stream, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Valley Stream | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -15% |
| Washing Machine | 10.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -9% |
| Water Heater | 12.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -16% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Valley Stream compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Valley Stream, New York | 74 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Elmont, New York | 81 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Valley Stream, New York | 72 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Franklin Square, New York | 143 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Cambria Heights, New York | 72 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How North Valley Stream compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Valley Stream | 74 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Valley Stream's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Valley Stream, New York, in Nassau County — an unincorporated Nassau County community adjacent to Valley Stream and Elmont on the Queens border in western Long Island — receives its municipal water from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) water system, drawing from the Catskill/Delaware and Croton watershed systems delivered through the Jamaica High Service Area into western Nassau County.
The moderately soft 74 mg/L hardness and TDS of 119 mg/L are markedly softer than the Long Island Aquifer communities (Sayville: 164.5 mg/L; East Setauket: 177 mg/L), confirming NYC supply rather than the Long Island groundwater. NYC water from the Catskill-Delaware system drains the Catskill Mountains — Devonian Catskill Formation red sandstone (insoluble), Devonian Helderberg Group (calcareous — minor contribution), and Ordovician Austin Glen Formation (slightly calcareous). The predominantly insoluble Catskill sandstone produces the soft NYC water delivered to western Nassau County.
At 74 mg/L, North Valley Stream's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.6 ppt is low — the NYCDEP Catskill-Delaware system is among the most protected water supplies in the USA, and the western Nassau County location receives primarily the clean filtered NYC water with limited local PFAS loading.
Geology & Source: North Valley Stream in Nassau County draws from New York City DEP on the Catskill-Delaware and Croton watersheds (Nassau County, western Long Island) — the Catskill-Delaware drains the Catskill Mountains (Devonian Catskill Formation sandstone — insoluble) — New York Nassau County NYCDEP Catskill-Delaware insoluble watershed produces moderately soft water at 74 mg/L with TDS 119 mg/L in this Nassau County New York community.