Terrace Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
262.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.33
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 Terrace Heights, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Terrace Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -35% |
| Washing Machine | 9 yrs | 12 yrs | -25% |
| Water Heater | 10.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Terrace Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Terrace Heights, New York | 123.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hollis, New York | 168 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hillside, New York | 159 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Fresh Meadows, New York | 148 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Queens Village, New York | 138.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Terrace Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Terrace Heights | 123.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Terrace Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Terrace Heights, New York, in Queens County — a Queens County community adjacent to Jamaica and Hollis in southeast Queens, New York City — receives its water from New York City DEP, drawing from the Catskill-Delaware system through the NYC water distribution network (Queens service zone).
The moderately hard 123.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 262.1 mg/L are harder than the typical Manhattan-Bronx NYCDEP Catskill-Delaware supply (~79-80 mg/L) — Queens appears to receive a blend that includes more Delaware System input or local Nassau County aquifer contribution, producing the higher hardness at the Queens service zone. The NYC water at Queens service draws from the Catskill-Delaware — Devonian Catskill Formation (insoluble), Devonian Onondaga Limestone (calcareous — trace hardness at the Delaware watershed margins), and at Queens may blend with Long Island Aquifer (Magothy Formation — calcareous) at the service boundary zone.
At 123.5 mg/L, Terrace Heights' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Queens County southeast Queens industrial corridor, Jamaica Bay adjacent PFAS background from JFK Airport (AFFF — one of the largest airport PFAS sources in the USA), and the NYC metro PFAS legacy contribute to Terrace Heights' readings.
Geology & Source: Terrace Heights in Queens County draws from New York City DEP on the Catskill-Delaware watersheds (Queens County, New York City) — the Catskill-Delaware drains the Catskill Mountains (Devonian Catskill Formation sandstone — insoluble) and Delaware River headwaters — New York Queens County NYCDEP Catskill-Delaware watershed produces moderately hard water at 123.5 mg/L with TDS 262.1 mg/L.