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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Scarsdale (0.02 mg/L) is 151 mg/L softer than average.

Scarsdale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

0.02mg/L

Soft

0 grains per gallon

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

419.4 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.00

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

0.02mg/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 Scarsdale, your appliances are currently losing 0% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Scarsdale	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	9.6 yrs	8.5 yrs	—
Washing Machine	13.6 yrs	12 yrs	—
Water Heater	15.6 yrs	15 yrs	—

Regional Water Comparison

How Scarsdale compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Scarsdale, New York	0.02 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
White Plains, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Eastchester, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Greenburgh, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Wykagyl, New York	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Scarsdale compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Scarsdale	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

What Makes Scarsdale's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 419.4 mg/LpH: 8.2

The Scarsdale Water Department serves approximately 21,649 people across Scarsdale and nearby areas in Westchester County, New York. Water is sourced entirely from the New York City water supply system, received through two pump stations: the Reeves Newsom Water Supply Station (via the Kensico-Bronx 48" pipeline and Kensico Reservoir) and the Ardsley Road Pumping Station (from the Catskill Aqueduct). The supply originates from Catskill/Delaware watersheds, with a total of 1.036 billion gallons delivered in 2023.

The Catskill/Delaware watersheds, located east of the Hudson River, provide source water protected and treated upstream by New York City. Geology includes Devonian-age sedimentary formations of the Catskill Group—shales, sandstones, and siltstones—with some limestone influences. This geology yields a very soft water supply with extremely low mineralisation at 0.02 mg/L, as the rock types do not significantly leach calcium or magnesium into reservoirs like Kensico.

Soft water minimizes scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing maintenance needs and extending equipment life. Soap and detergents lather easily, requiring less product for cleaning; no water softener is recommended. The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report confirmed no violations of state health standards, with treatment including chlorine, UV disinfection for Giardia and Cryptosporidium, fluoride, and pH adjustment. Lead from home plumbing—not utility-sourced—can be minimized by flushing taps before use; private testing is advised. Occasional brown water from flushing is safe but should clear before doing laundry.

Geology & Source: Catskill/Delaware watersheds — Devonian Catskill Group shales, sandstones, and conglomerates; minor limestone influence; limited calcium and magnesium dissolution via Kensico Reservoir yields very soft water at 0.02 mg/L

Other New York Water Reports

White Plains

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Eastchester

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Greenburgh

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Wykagyl

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scarsdale's water safe to drink?

Yes. Scarsdale's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 0.02 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 Scarsdale?

Scarsdale's water is soft at 0.02 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Scarsdale compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Scarsdale (0.02 mg/L) is 151 mg/L below the national average.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Scarsdale 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.