Hackensack Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
131.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
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 Hackensack, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hackensack | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -15% |
| Washing Machine | 10.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -9% |
| Water Heater | 12.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hackensack compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hackensack, New Jersey | 73 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Teaneck, New Jersey | 154 mg/L | 11.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Ridgefield Park, New Jersey | 37.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Lodi, New Jersey | 183 mg/L | 13.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Saddle Brook, New Jersey | 59.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hackensack compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hackensack | 73 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hackensack's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hackensack, New Jersey, the Bergen County seat — a major Bergen County governmental hub, one of New Jersey's largest cities, a diverse urban community with significant Korean-American, Dominican-American, and Filipino-American populations, home of a major courtroom complex (Bergen County Courthouse), and a historic New Jersey county seat on the Hackensack River serving the densely populated Bergen County inner New York metropolitan area — draws its municipal water supply from the Oradell Reservoir (Hackensack River) via Suez Water New Jersey (formerly United Water). Water hardness in Hackensack measures 73 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Hackensack's moderate softness reflects the Oradell Reservoir's calcareous-poor Bergen County watershed. The Hackensack River above Oradell Reservoir drains: Bergen and Rockland County Precambrian New Jersey Highlands (Proterozoic Fordham Gneiss and Byram Granodiorite — calcium-poor crystalline Precambrian terrain of the Ramapo Mountains); and the Jurassic Watchung Basalt Ridges (slightly calcareous in the plagioclase fraction, but predominantly a non-calcareous terrain for water chemistry). Suez Water NJ treats the Oradell Reservoir supply effectively, producing the moderate 73 mg/L — among the softer Bergen County supplies.
With hardness at 73 mg/L, Hackensack residents enjoy moderately soft water with minimal scale challenges. Suez Water New Jersey consistently delivers water meeting all New Jersey DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Oradell Reservoir (Hackensack River watershed) via the United Water (now Suez Water New Jersey) and the City of Hackensack Water Division — the Bergen County New Jersey Hackensack River (Triassic–Jurassic Watchung Basalt and New Jersey Highlands Proterozoic gneiss — calcareous-poor watershed); moderately soft supply at 73 mg/L in Bergen County.