Franklin Lakes Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
73.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.12
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 Franklin Lakes, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Franklin Lakes | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -5% |
| Washing Machine | 11.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -1% |
| Water Heater | 13.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -8% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Franklin Lakes compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin Lakes, New Jersey | 46 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Wyckoff, New Jersey | 82.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Oakland, New Jersey | 121 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Ramsey, New Jersey | 177.5 mg/L | 12.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hawthorne, New Jersey | 84.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Franklin Lakes compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin Lakes | 46 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Franklin Lakes's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, in Bergen County — a Bergen County borough adjacent to Ramsey and Oakland in the Ramapo Hills of northeast New Jersey — receives its water from Suez Water New Jersey, drawing from the Wanaque Reservoir system through the northeast New Jersey distribution.
The very soft 46 mg/L hardness and low TDS of 73.1 mg/L reflect the Bergen County Wanaque supply's very soft character — the Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss and Cambrian Green Pond Conglomerate are both largely insoluble crystalline and clastic formations contributing negligible dissolved mineral content to the Wanaque-Ramapo highland watershed (compare Ramsey NJ: 44/69 in Bergen County comparable; Oakland NJ: 47/76 in Bergen County comparable; Franklin Lakes consistent very soft from the same Bergen County Wanaque Reservoir Precambrian insoluble supply). The Wanaque-Ramapo watershed — Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Green Pond Conglomerate (insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Quaternary Ramapo Valley alluvium (slightly calcareous — minimal TDS).
At 46 mg/L with TDS 73, Franklin Lakes' water is very soft — virtually no scale buildup. Soft water can be mildly corrosive — monitor for copper staining. The PFAS level of 5.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review Suez Water New Jersey's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Franklin Lakes in Bergen County draws from the Suez Water NJ on the Wanaque Reservoir system (Bergen County, northeast New Jersey) — the Wanaque-Ramapo watershed drains Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss (insoluble) and Cambrian Green Pond Conglomerate (insoluble) — New Jersey Bergen County Wanaque Reservoir Precambrian insoluble supply produces very soft water at 46 mg/L with TDS 73.1 mg/L.