Gloucester City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

6.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

566 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 Gloucester City, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Gloucester City	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 Gloucester City compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Gloucester City, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Camden, New Jersey	≈ 0–60 mg/L	132.8 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Bellmawr, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Whitman, Pennsylvania	132 mg/L	6.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Pennsport, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Gloucester City compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Gloucester City	≈ 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 Gloucester City's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 566 mg/LpH: 6.7

Gloucester City Water Department supplies about 12,460 residents in Gloucester City, Camden County, New Jersey. Their water comes from groundwater sources, primarily the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system, along with the Mount Laurel-Wenonah aquifer and Englishtown aquifer system. They also receive some supply from the Delaware River via New Jersey American Water - Western. Treatment at their facility involves aeration, air stripping, conventional filtration, pre-oxidation with chlorine, and disinfection. You can reach them at 856-456-0169.

This groundwater originates from Cretaceous-age formations beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain. These aquifers are composed of unconsolidated sands, gravels, silts, and clays. While limestone and dolomite are not abundant here, the sandy sediments can dissolve small amounts of calcium and magnesium from impurities. Clay minerals also contribute through ion exchange, resulting in a moderately mineralized water supply characteristic of New Jersey's groundwater.

Homeowners in Gloucester City might notice moderate scale buildup in appliances like water heaters and dishwashers over time, which can reduce their efficiency and lifespan. Faucet aerators could also become clogged, affecting water flow. To combat this, regular descaling with vinegar solutions and annual flushing of hot water heaters are recommended. For persistent issues like soap scum or spotting on dishes, a water softener could be a worthwhile investment to extend appliance life.

Geology & Source: Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system, Mount Laurel-Wenonah aquifer, Englishtown aquifer; Cretaceous sands and gravels yield moderate hardness from minor carbonate impurities and ion exchange

Other New Jersey Water Reports

Camden

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Bellmawr

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Whitman

132 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Pennsport

≈ 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 Gloucester City's water safe to drink?

Yes. Gloucester City'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 Gloucester City?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Gloucester City'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 Gloucester City compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Gloucester City (≈ 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 Gloucester City 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.