Franklin Lakes Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

382 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 Franklin Lakes, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Franklin Lakes	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 Franklin Lakes compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Franklin Lakes, New Jersey	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Wyckoff, New Jersey	≈ 180+ mg/L	7.6 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Oakland, New Jersey	≈ 180+ mg/L	286.1 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Ramsey, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	258.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Hawthorne, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	49.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Franklin Lakes compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Franklin Lakes	≈ 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 Franklin Lakes's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 382 mg/LpH: 7.7

Franklin Lakes is supplied by Aqua New Jersey, formerly United Water New Jersey, through its Franklin Lakes Water System. The utility sources its water from a mix of surface water within the Passaic River watershed and groundwater aquifers that serve Bergen County. Before reaching residents and businesses, this water undergoes treatment at dedicated facilities to meet stringent standards set by the EPA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The Franklin Lakes water supply originates in the New Jersey Piedmont, an area defined by ancient Precambrian metamorphic bedrock and overlying Paleozoic sedimentary formations, along with more recent Quaternary glacial deposits. This geological makeup, particularly the presence of carbonate minerals and calcium-rich bedrock within the Passaic River watershed and its associated groundwater aquifers, naturally contributes to high levels of dissolved minerals, resulting in the very hard water typical of this region in northern New Jersey.

Homeowners in Franklin Lakes often notice significant scale buildup in appliances like kettles and water heaters, and may find that soaps and detergents don't lather as effectively. To combat these issues and help extend the life of plumbing and appliances, installing a water softening system is a practical step. Routine maintenance, such as descaling fixtures and checking hot water heaters, is also advisable for managing the effects of hard water. The Franklin Lakes water system is regularly tested for contaminants, and detailed reports are available from Aqua New Jersey.

Geology & Source: Precambrian metamorphic and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks; carbonate-rich formations and glacial deposits cause very hard water

Other New Jersey Water Reports

Wyckoff

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Oakland

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Ramsey

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Hawthorne

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 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 Franklin Lakes's water safe to drink?

Yes. Franklin Lakes'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 Franklin Lakes?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Franklin Lakes'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 Franklin Lakes compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Franklin Lakes (≈ 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 Franklin Lakes 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.