Fair Lawn Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
433.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Fair Lawn, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fair Lawn | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fair Lawn compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fair Lawn, New Jersey | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 227.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Glen Rock, New Jersey | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Hawthorne, New Jersey | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 49.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Elmwood Park, New Jersey | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 34.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Ridgewood, New Jersey | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 2182.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Fair Lawn compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fair Lawn | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fair Lawn's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Fair Lawn Water Department, located at 8-01 Fair Lawn Ave, Fair Lawn Boro, NJ 07410 (contact: 201-794-5374), serves Fair Lawn in Bergen County. It purchases surface water from upstream utilities and blends it with groundwater from the Brunswick aquifer. Treatment includes air stripping, conventional filtration, and disinfection with chloramines and chlorine, delivering a moderately hard blended supply with elevated total dissolved solids to residents throughout the community.
The supply draws from the Passaic River watershed and the Brunswick aquifer, part of the Triassic Newark Basin. These formations consist of sandstone, mudstone, and conglomerate from the Mesozoic era that dissolve calcium and magnesium during prolonged groundwater contact. Surface components from the Passaic River watershed encounter limestone and dolomite influences, adding to the mineral load and producing the moderately hard character typical of northern New Jersey's geology.
Moderately hard water promotes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Faucet aerators and showerheads may clog, contributing to lower flow and drier skin and hair. Regular maintenance includes monthly vinegar descaling for fixtures and annual appliance flushes; a water softener is recommended for households noticing spots on dishes or soap scum. The 2026 report flags 6 contaminants above EPA health-based guidelines — treatment involves air stripping, conventional filtration, and chloramine/chlorine disinfection — and the system holds a D+ grade; residents should review the full Consumer Confidence Report for compliance details.
Geology & Source: Brunswick aquifer in Triassic Newark Basin; sandstone, mudstone, and conglomerate dissolve calcium and magnesium — moderately hard; Passaic River watershed adds limestone and dolomite mineral load
Other New Jersey Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fair Lawn's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Fair Lawn?
How does Fair Lawn compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Fair Lawn is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.