Bradley Gardens Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
99.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.16
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 Bradley Gardens, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Bradley Gardens | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -9% |
| Washing Machine | 11.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -5% |
| Water Heater | 13.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -12% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Bradley Gardens compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bradley Gardens, New Jersey | 59 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Bridgewater, New Jersey | 148.5 mg/L | 11.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hillsborough, New Jersey | 94.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Warren Township, New Jersey | 148.5 mg/L | 11.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Middlesex, New Jersey | 65.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Bradley Gardens compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bradley Gardens | 59 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Bradley Gardens's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Bradley Gardens, New Jersey, in Somerset County — a Somerset County community adjacent to Somerville and Bound Brook in north-central New Jersey — receives its water from New Jersey American Water, drawing from the Raritan River and Spruce Run Reservoir (Somerset County) through the north-central New Jersey distribution.
The moderately soft 59 mg/L hardness and TDS of 99.9 mg/L are much softer than the downstream Middlesex County Raritan communities (Highland Park: 93.5 mg/L) — reflecting the upper Somerset County Raritan River's predominantly insoluble Precambrian Highland gneiss input with minimal calcareous bedrock dissolution at the upper Raritan valley position. The Somerset County Raritan watershed drains the New Jersey Highlands — Precambrian Losee Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Precambrian Byram Intrusive (insoluble), Triassic Brunswick Formation (slightly calcareous — minor hardness contributor), and Cambrian calcareous formations.
At 59 mg/L, Bradley Gardens' water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Picatinny Arsenal (Morris County — AFFF) and Fort Dix/McGuire Air Force Base (Burlington County — AFFF) contribute to Bradley Gardens' readings.
Geology & Source: Bradley Gardens in Somerset County draws from the New Jersey American Water on the Raritan River and Spruce Run Reservoir (Somerset County, north-central New Jersey) — the Raritan at Somerset drains the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian Losee Gneiss — insoluble) and Triassic Brunswick Formation (slightly calcareous) — New Jersey Somerset County Raritan River Precambrian-Triassic watershed produces moderately soft water at 59 mg/L with TDS 99.9 mg/L.