How does Elmwood Park's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Elmwood Park (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Elmwood Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

6.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

1555 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · est.

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 Elmwood Park, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Elmwood Park	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Elmwood Park compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Elmwood Park, New Jersey	≈ 180+ mg/L	34.6 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Garfield, New Jersey	≈ 180+ mg/L	188.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Saddle Brook, New Jersey	≈ 180+ mg/L	76.4 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Fair Lawn, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	227.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lodi, New Jersey	≈ 180+ mg/L	13.2 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Elmwood Park compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Elmwood Park	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Elmwood Park's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 1555 mg/LpH: 6.7

The Borough of Elmwood Park Water Department serves over 19,000 residents in Elmwood Park, Bergen County, New Jersey. Water is sourced primarily from the Passaic Valley Water Commission (PWIC) and the Wanaque Water Treatment Plant (Wanaque WTP), blending surface water from the Passaic River and Wanaque Reservoir. Treatment occurs at these regional facilities before distribution through the municipal system. The service area covers the borough, with no specific treatment plants named within its limits; distribution serves residential areas near the High School Complex and Elmwood Park Memorial Library.

The supply originates in the Passaic River Watershed and Wanaque Reservoir basin within New Jersey's glaciated Piedmont physiographic province. Underlying geology includes Triassic-Jurassic sedimentary rocks of the Newark Basin, such as the Boonton and Passaic Formations with limestone and dolomite layers, overlain by glacial drift. These carbonate-rich formations release calcium and magnesium ions into surface waters, imparting a hard character to the blended supply from reservoir storage and river intake.

Very hard water promotes significant limescale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers, increasing energy costs and reducing appliance lifespan. Soap scum forms readily on fixtures and skin. Regular vinegar descaling, sediment pre-filters, and biannual heater flushing help manage deposits. A whole-home water softener is strongly recommended. The 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report reveals 10 contaminants including Bromodichloromethane, Chlorate, and Chromium (hexavalent), with 8 exceeding independent health guidelines; no health-based violations noted since 2023.

Geology & Source: Passaic River watershed and Wanaque Reservoir; Newark Basin Triassic-Jurassic Boonton and Passaic Formations with limestone and dolomite overlain by glacial till — carbonate leaching yields hard blended supply

Other New Jersey Water Reports

Garfield

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Saddle Brook

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Fair Lawn

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lodi

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elmwood Park's water safe to drink?

Yes. Elmwood Park's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Elmwood Park?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Elmwood Park's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 45%.

How does Elmwood Park compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Elmwood Park (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Elmwood Park is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.