Is Hempstead, NY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Hempstead tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 30 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Hempstead Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Hempstead Compares
Hempstead's water is 78% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 83% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within New York, it ranks #32 of 37 cities (52% below the state average of 62 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Hempstead ranks #159 of 189 for hardness.
What Hempstead's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 30 PPM - Low Concern
Hempstead's water is slightly hard at 30 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Hempstead is softer than 83% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Beyond hardness, Hempstead's water is within EPA guidelines for regulated contaminants. Chlorine sits at 1.1 mg/L — normal for municipal systems, but enough to notice. That said, 8 contaminants exceed EWG's stricter health guidelines — these are legal but worth understanding. If your water tastes like a pool or your skin feels dry after showers, a whole-house carbon filter is the simplest fix. A shower filter is a quick, affordable starting point that most people notice immediately. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for neighborhood-level data.
What's in the Treatment Process
Chromium-6 is naturally present in Hempstead's aquifer geology at 0.289 ppb — 14x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 30 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 55 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 3.65 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 2.98 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Good news for Hempstead residents. Your water quality is generally good. Most homes in this area do not need a water softener. If you have concerns about lead (especially in buildings constructed before 1986) or chlorine taste, a point-of-use filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.1 mg/L chlorine, many Hempstead residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Hempstead
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request Hempstead Water Department's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Hempstead's Water Supply
Water Utility: Hempstead Water Department
Water Source: Long Island Aquifer (Groundwater)
Population Served: 110,000
Hardness: 30 PPM (1.8 grains per gallon)
Hempstead draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Long Island Aquifer. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 110,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Hempstead Water Department's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Hempstead Water Department in Hempstead, NY, including ZIP codes:
11549, 11550, 11551, 11552
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Hempstead to Other New York Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Hempstead Water
Is Hempstead tap water safe to drink?
Where does Hempstead's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Hempstead?
What are disinfection byproducts in Hempstead's water?
Is chromium-6 in Hempstead's water?
Why does Hempstead water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Hempstead tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Hempstead compare to the New York average?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Hempstead Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 30 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Hempstead's water data.