Harrison Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
153.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 Harrison, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Harrison | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -19% |
| Washing Machine | 10.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -12% |
| Water Heater | 12.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -18% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Harrison compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Harrison, New Jersey | 82 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Newark, New Jersey | 102.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Kearny, New Jersey | 146 mg/L | 11.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Belleville, New Jersey | 39.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| North Arlington, New Jersey | 107 mg/L | 8.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Harrison compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Harrison | 82 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Harrison's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Harrison, New Jersey, in Hudson County — a Hudson County town adjacent to Newark and East Newark on the Passaic River in north New Jersey — receives its municipal water from NJ American Water, drawing from the Passaic River (Hudson County) or Wanaque Reservoir system through the north New Jersey distribution.
The moderately soft 82 mg/L hardness and TDS of 153.9 mg/L are softer than the north Bergen County NJAW communities (North Arlington: 107 mg/L) — reflecting Harrison's position further downstream in the Passaic system where treatment and dilution produce a softer supply. The Passaic River at Hudson County drains the New Jersey Highlands — Precambrian Franklin Marble (moderately calcareous), Cambrian Kittatinny Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor at the Highlands), and Precambrian Losee Tonalite Gneiss (insoluble). The mixed Highland calcareous and insoluble input, with downstream dilution, produces the moderately soft north Hudson County supply.
At 82 mg/L, Harrison's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.5 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Picatinny Arsenal (Morris County — AFFF, migrating into the Passaic watershed), the Newark-Harrison industrial Passaic River corridor (the Passaic River is one of the most PFAS-contaminated rivers in the USA), and the New Jersey Highlands industrial PFAS complex contribute to Harrison's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Harrison in Hudson County draws from NJ American Water on the Passaic River or Wanaque Reservoir (Hudson County, north New Jersey) — the Passaic drains the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian Franklin Marble, Cambrian Kittatinny Limestone — moderately calcareous) — New Jersey Hudson County Passaic River Highland calcareous watershed produces moderately soft water at 82 mg/L with TDS 153.9 mg/L in this Hudson County New Jersey town.