How does Fairview's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fairview (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Fairview Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

439.2 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 Fairview, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Fairview	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 Fairview compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Fairview, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	12.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Cliffside Park, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
North Bergen, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Guttenberg, New Jersey	72.5 mg/L	7 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir
Ridgefield, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Fairview compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Fairview	≈ 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 Fairview's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 439.2 mg/LpH: 8.2

The Fairview Water Department supplies water to approximately 14,000 residents in the Borough of Fairview, Bergen County, New Jersey. The primary source is the Hackensack River, with additional supply drawn from the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer. Water undergoes treatment at regional facilities, such as the Little Falls plant, before distribution. Recent reports indicate no EPA violations since 2023.

The water's journey begins in the Hackensack Meadowlands watershed, characterized by glacial till and sedimentary basins. Underlying rock formations include the Triassic Newark Group and Cretaceous sands, with Lockatong Formation sandstones and shales nearby. The deep Potomac aquifer, a key source, is recharged through outcrops to the south. This geological makeup, featuring limestone lenses and dolomitic layers, dissolves minerals as water flows underground, contributing to a supply that is characteristically hard.

This moderately mineralized water can lead to scale buildup in appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters, potentially reducing their efficiency by 20-30%. You might notice faucet aerators and coffee makers clogging frequently, requiring monthly descaling with vinegar. To combat issues like spotting on glassware and soap scum, especially with water above the hard threshold, installing a whole-house water softener is recommended. While the water meets EPA standards and has a low lead level, some disinfection byproducts are present, though specific PFAS data was not noted.

Geology & Source: Hackensack River watershed; limestone and sandstone formations from the Triassic Newark Group and Cretaceous sands dissolve calcium and magnesium, resulting in hard water.

Other New Jersey Water Reports

Cliffside Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

North Bergen

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Guttenberg

72.5 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Ridgefield

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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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 Fairview's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fairview's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Fairview?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Fairview'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 20%.

How does Fairview compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fairview (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Fairview 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.