Highland Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
184 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Highland Park, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Highland Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Highland Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Highland Park, New Jersey | 93.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Piscataway, New Jersey | 156 mg/L | 11.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Edison, New Jersey | 154.5 mg/L | 11.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| New Brunswick, New Jersey | 98 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| South River, New Jersey | 130 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Highland Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Highland Park | 93.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Highland Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Highland Park, New Jersey, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County borough adjacent to New Brunswick on the Raritan River in central New Jersey — receives its water from New Jersey American Water, drawing from the Raritan River (Middlesex County) through the central New Jersey distribution.
The moderately hard 93.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 184 mg/L are softer than the Bergen County Hackensack communities (Fairview: 170 mg/L), reflecting the central Middlesex County Raritan River supply's more diluted Triassic calcareous character at the mid-basin position with greater Precambrian Highland dilution input. The Raritan River at Middlesex County drains the New Jersey Piedmont and Highlands — Triassic Brunswick Formation (calcareous redbed — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Losee Gneiss (insoluble — dilutant), Triassic Passaic Formation (calcareous), and Cambrian calcareous formations.
At 93.5 mg/L, Highland Park's water is moderately hard — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.2 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Fort Dix/McGuire Air Force Base (Burlington County — AFFF) and the central New Jersey Middlesex County industrial corridor contribute to Highland Park's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Highland Park in Middlesex County draws from the New Jersey American Water on the Raritan River (Middlesex County, central New Jersey) — the Raritan at Middlesex drains the New Jersey Piedmont (Triassic Brunswick Formation — calcareous) and Precambrian Highlands gneiss — New Jersey Middlesex County Raritan River Triassic calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 93.5 mg/L with TDS 184 mg/L.