Cedar Grove Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
166.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.23
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 Cedar Grove, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cedar Grove | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -21% |
| Washing Machine | 10.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cedar Grove compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cedar Grove, New Jersey | 87 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Verona, New Jersey | 36 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Montclair, New Jersey | 75.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Woodland Park, New Jersey | 64.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| West Orange, New Jersey | 64 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Cedar Grove compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cedar Grove | 87 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cedar Grove's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cedar Grove, New Jersey, in Essex County — an Essex County township adjacent to Montclair and Verona in north-central New Jersey — receives its water from the New Jersey American Water, drawing from the Passaic River or Wanaque Reservoir (Essex County) through the north-central New Jersey distribution.
The soft 87 mg/L hardness and TDS of 166.9 mg/L reflect the north-central New Jersey Essex County Passaic-Wanaque supply's soft Highlands character — the Precambrian Highlands Gneiss insoluble and Cambrian Kittatinny Limestone slightly calcareous contacts produce soft water typical of the Essex County Passaic watershed communities (compare Woodland Park NJ: 64.5/112 in Passaic County softer; New Providence NJ: 101.5/206 in Union County slightly harder; Cedar Grove in between). The Passaic-Wanaque system at Essex County — Precambrian Highlands Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Kittatinny Limestone (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Passaic River alluvium (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 87 mg/L, Cedar Grove's water is soft — scale forms very slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Essex County north-central New Jersey urban-industrial corridor contribute to Cedar Grove's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Cedar Grove in Essex County draws from the New Jersey American Water on the Passaic River or Wanaque Reservoir (Essex County, north-central New Jersey) — the Passaic-Wanaque watershed at Essex County drains Precambrian Highlands Gneiss (insoluble) and Cambrian Kittatinny Limestone (slightly calcareous) — New Jersey Essex County Passaic River Precambrian insoluble supply produces soft water at 87 mg/L with TDS 166.9 mg/L.