Water hardness is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium ions present in the water. This attribute can differ across New Jersey, as its cities each have unique geological characteristics and water supply sources that influence water hardness levels.
In New Jersey, water hardness can range from soft to very hard depending on the particular city or region. For instance, cities in Northern New Jersey that rely on surface water from reservoirs or rivers may generally have softer water. In contrast, areas in Central and Southern New Jersey that use groundwater from wells might exhibit harder water due to the minerals from the local bedrock that dissolve into the water supply.
The water hardness values for cities in New Jersey can tell us more about the specific conditions experienced locally. While these values may fluctuate, many communities in New Jersey are known to encounter water with varying degrees of hardness. Hard water can influence several aspects of daily life from the taste of tap water to how well household cleaning agents work, and it can also affect the lifespan and efficiency of water-using appliances.
The water hardness levels in the state of New Jersey also show variation across different cities, with measurements given in parts per million (ppm) and grains per gallon (gpg). Jersey City has a hardness level of 140.0 ppm, 8.18 gpg, while Paterson, Clifton, and Passaic each have levels of 89.0 ppm, 5.20 gpg. In comparison, Elizabeth has a somewhat higher level at 97.0 ppm, 5.67 gpg, and Trenton’s water registers at 80.6 ppm, 4.73 gpg. Among the highest, East Orange stands out with a water hardness of 485.0 ppm, 28.33 gpg. In contrast, Vineland has one of the lowest recorded levels in the state at 27.0 ppm, 1.58 gpg. Cities such as Newark, Camden, New Brunswick, Plainfield, and several others did not have available data.
City | Hardness ppm (mg/L) | Hardness gpg | Information Source | Notes |
Newark | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Jersey City | 140.0 | 8.2 | Link | Median of range |
Paterson | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Passaic Valley Main System, took median of Little Falls range as that’s the main source and Wanaque which is blended with it. The other listed sources are only occasionally added |
Elizabeth | 97.0 | 5.7 | Link | Via Zip Lookup |
Trenton | 80.6 | 4.7 | Link | |
Clifton | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Passaic Valley Main System, took median of Little Falls range as that’s the main source and Wanaque which is blended with it. The other listed sources are only occasionally added |
Camden | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Passaic | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Passaic Valley Main System, took median of Little Falls range as that’s the main source and Wanaque which is blended with it. The other listed sources are only occasionally added |
Bayonne | 82.5 | 4.8 | Link | Via Zip Lookup |
East Orange | 485.0 | 28.3 | Link | |
Union City | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip Lookup |
Vineland | 27.0 | 1.6 | Link | Median of range |
Hoboken | 140.0 | 8.2 | Link | Purchases from Jersey City |
New Brunswick | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Perth Amboy | 77.0 | 4.5 | Link | |
Plainfield | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
West New York | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Hackensack | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Sayreville | 138.0 | 8.1 | Link | |
Linden | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Kearny | 49.0 | 2.9 | Link | Kearny doesn’t report hardness directly, but gets water exclusively from NJDWSC, which has hardness reported in the Patterson CCR. |
Fort Lee | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Atlantic City | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Fair Lawn | 222.5 | 13.0 | Link | Used median of combined range |
Garfield | 382.0 | 22.3 | Link | |
Long Branch | 108.0 | 6.3 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Princeton | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Westfield | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Rahway | 208.0 | 12.2 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Englewood | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Bergenfield | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Millville | n/a | n/a | Link | Report has alkalinity only |
Bridgeton | n/a | n/a | Link | Water CCR not available on their website |
Paramus | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Ridgewood | 354.5 | 20.7 | Link | Median of range |
Lodi | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Took the blended number of PWIC and WanaqueWTP which are the main sources |
Cliffside Park | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Carteret | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
South Plainfield | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Summit | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
North Plainfield | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Roselle | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Lindenwold | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Secaucus | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Elmwood Park | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Took the blended number of PWIC and WanaqueWTP which are the main sources |
Glassboro | 40.6 | 2.4 | Link | Median of range |
Pleasantville | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Morristown | 233.5 | 13.6 | Link | Median of range |
Palisades Park | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Hawthorne | 168.3 | 9.8 | Link | Took average of all 4 listed treatment facilities |
Tinton Falls | 108.0 | 6.3 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Harrison | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Took the blended number of PWIC and WanaqueWTP which are the main sources |
Point Pleasant | 64.3 | 3.8 | Link | |
Rutherford | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Dover | 100.0 | 5.8 | Link | |
Dumont | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Madison | n/a | n/a | Link | |
New Milford | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
North Arlington | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Took the blended number of PWIC and WanaqueWTP which are the main sources |
South River | 136.0 | 7.9 | Link | |
Phillipsburg | 150.0 | 8.8 | Link | |
Tenafly | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Asbury Park | 108.0 | 6.3 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Highland Park | 86.0 | 5.0 | Link | |
Metuchen | 101.0 | 5.9 | Link | |
Fairview | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Hammonton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Ramsey | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Edgewater | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Middlesex | 101.0 | 5.9 | Link | |
Hopatcong | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Collingswood | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Roselle Park | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
New Providence | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Eatontown | 108.0 | 6.3 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Woodland Park | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Took the blended number of PWIC and WanaqueWTP which are the main sources |
Florham Park | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Ridgefield Park | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Red Bank | 86.5 | 5.1 | Link | |
Oakland | 315.0 | 18.4 | Link | Average of range |
Somerville | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Freehold | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Haddonfield | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Glen Rock | 354.5 | 20.7 | Link | Covered by Ridgewood |
Hasbrouck Heights | 108.5 | 6.3 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
River Edge | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Bound Brook | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Wallington | 129.0 | 7.5 | Link | Average of range |
Bellmawr | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Ringwood | 140.0 | 8.2 | Link | Weighted average of sources |
Guttenberg | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Gloucester City | 96.0 | 5.6 | Link | |
Ridgefield | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Westwood | 154.0 | 9.0 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Ocean City | n/a | n/a | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Wanaque | 49.0 | 2.9 | Link | |
Beachwood | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Franklin Lakes | 283.0 | 16.5 | Link | Via Zip lookup |
Pompton Lakes | 233.0 | 13.6 | Link | |
Totowa | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Took the blended number of PWIC and WanaqueWTP which are the main sources |
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon
Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.
These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.