Fords Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
58 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.10
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 Fords, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fords | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -2% |
| Washing Machine | 12.2 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -6% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fords compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fords, New Jersey | 38 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Woodbridge, New Jersey | 77.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Iselin, New Jersey | 133 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Colonia, New Jersey | 112 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Metuchen, New Jersey | 63.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Fords compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fords | 38 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fords's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fords, New Jersey, in Middlesex County — an unincorporated Middlesex County community adjacent to Woodbridge and Perth Amboy in central New Jersey — receives its water from NJ American Water, drawing from the Raritan River watershed system (Middlesex County) through the central New Jersey distribution.
The very soft 38 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 58 mg/L reflect the central New Jersey Raritan system supply's predominantly insoluble Highlands crystalline character — significantly softer than the north New Jersey Passaic communities (Harrison: 82 mg/L). The Raritan River watershed drains the New Jersey Highlands — Precambrian Losee Tonalite Gneiss (insoluble — dominant Highlands contribution), Triassic Brunswick Formation (slightly calcareous redbed — minor hardness contributor), and Precambrian Franklin Marble (calcareous — minor contribution at the Highlands margin). The predominantly insoluble Highlands gneiss with Triassic dilution produces the very soft central New Jersey supply.
At 38 mg/L, Fords' water is very soft — essentially no scale forms, soap lathers well, and appliances maintain excellent efficiency. Annual descaling is sufficient. The PFAS level of 5.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Raritan Arsenal (Middlesex County — AFFF legacy, directly at the Raritan River corridor), the Raritan Bay industrial PFAS background, and the central New Jersey military-industrial complex contribute to Fords' readings.
Geology & Source: Fords in Middlesex County draws from NJ American Water on the Raritan River Watershed (Middlesex County, central New Jersey) — the Raritan system drains the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian Losee Tonalite Gneiss — insoluble, Triassic Brunswick Formation — slightly calcareous) — New Jersey Middlesex County Raritan River Highlands-Triassic watershed produces very soft water at 38 mg/L with TDS 58 mg/L.