Atco Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Waterford Township Municipal Utilities Authority (WTMUA) supplies water to roughly 3,000 connections in Camden County, New Jersey, including Atco Lake and surrounding areas. Their water comes entirely from groundwater, drawn from 12 production wells that tap into the Cohansey-Kirkwood aquifer system. This system is part of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a significant recharge area within the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The Atco Well Treatment Plant handles purification through processes like aeration, filtration, chlorination, and fluoridation, ensuring the water meets drinking standards under NJDEP oversight. No surface water sources are utilized.

This groundwater originates in the Atlantic Coastal Plain province, specifically within the Cohansey-Kirkwood aquifer system. This aquifer is composed of unconsolidated materials like sands, gravels, silts, and clays dating back to the Miocene and Pliocene epochs. These sediments, derived from eroded Appalachian highlands, are rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium. As groundwater seeps through permeable coastal sediments and dissolves these minerals, particularly from upstream limestone and dolomite bedrock, the water gains a characteristically hard quality. The aquifer system also includes the Piney Point and Raritan formations deeper down.

Homeowners will notice the effects of this naturally hard water, which can lead to scale buildup in appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, potentially shortening their lifespan by up to 50%. You might also see soap scum on your fixtures, spotty dishes, and feel that your skin and hair are drier after showering. To combat scale, regularly descaling faucets and coffee makers with vinegar can help. Installing sediment pre-filters and flushing your water heater annually are also good maintenance practices. Given the mineral content, a water softener is a worthwhile investment to extend appliance life and improve cleaning effectiveness.