University Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
99.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.17
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 University Heights, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In University Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -7% |
| Water Heater | 13 yrs | 15 yrs | -13% |
Regional Water Comparison
How University Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ University Heights, New York | 65.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Fordham, New York | 127.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Tremont, New York | 153 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Morris Heights, New York | 112.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Kings Bridge, New York | 160.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How University Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ University Heights | 65.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes University Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
University Heights, The Bronx, New York — a major west Bronx urban community (University Heights is a significant Bronx neighborhood — a west Bronx community along the Harlem River and the University Heights Bridge corridor; University Heights is named for the New York University Heights campus (New York University operated its University Heights campus here from 1894 to 1973 — the campus had a distinguished architectural plan by McKim, Mead, and White including Gould Memorial Library (now the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at Bronx Community College — one of the most beautiful Beaux-Arts buildings in the Bronx; the colonnade of the Hall of Fame for Great Americans is one of the architectural treasures of New York City); the campus is now Bronx Community College)), home of Bronx Community College (a significant CUNY institution serving the west Bronx), a diverse Bronx County community with a primarily Dominican-American, Puerto Rican-American, and working-class population (University Heights and adjacent west Bronx communities have one of the most significant Dominican-American populations in New York City), adjacent to Fordham and Morris Heights in the west Bronx corridor — draws its municipal water supply via the NYC DEP. Water hardness in University Heights measures 65.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
University Heights's moderate softness reflects the west Bronx NYC DEP distribution characteristics. The NYC DEP distributes Catskill–Delaware supply to the west Bronx zone, producing the moderately soft 65.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 65.5 mg/L, University Heights residents enjoy moderately soft water. NYC DEP consistently delivers water meeting all New York State DEC and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Catskill–Delaware watershed via the New York City DEP — the Bronx County west Bronx University Heights corridor (Catskill Mountains calcareous-poor Devonian sandstone — NYC Catskill–Delaware supply; west Bronx distribution to University Heights zone); moderately soft supply at 65.5 mg/L in Bronx County.