Hopatcong Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
221 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.28
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 Hopatcong, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hopatcong | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -28% |
| Washing Machine | 9.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -19% |
| Water Heater | 11.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hopatcong compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hopatcong, New Jersey | 106.5 mg/L | 8.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hopatcong Hills, New Jersey | 107 mg/L | 8.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Sparta, New Jersey | 132 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Dover, New Jersey | 142 mg/L | 10.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Randolph, New Jersey | 115 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hopatcong compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hopatcong | 106.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hopatcong's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hopatcong, New Jersey, in Sussex County — a Sussex County borough on Lake Hopatcong adjacent to Netcong and Stanhope in northwest New Jersey — receives its water from local utilities drawing from Lake Hopatcong (Sussex County) through the northwest New Jersey distribution.
The moderately hard 106.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 221 mg/L reflect the northwest New Jersey Lake Hopatcong supply's moderate New Jersey Highlands crystalline character — harder than typical Precambrian granite supplies due to the lake basin's calcareous glacial till and Cambrian calcareous formation input at the lake margins. The Lake Hopatcong watershed at Sussex County drains the New Jersey Highlands — Precambrian Losee Gneiss (near-insoluble), Precambrian Byram Intrusive (insoluble), Cambrian Kittatinny Quartzite (near-insoluble), and Ordovician calcareous glacial till (calcareous — primary hardness contributor). The calcareous glacial till in the crystalline basin produces the moderately hard northwest New Jersey supply.
At 106.5 mg/L, Hopatcong's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.9 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Picatinny Arsenal (Morris County — AFFF), McGuire Air Force Base (Burlington County — AFFF), and the northwest New Jersey military industrial corridor contribute to Hopatcong's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Hopatcong in Sussex County draws from the Lake Hopatcong Water Supply on Lake Hopatcong (Sussex County, northwest New Jersey) — Lake Hopatcong drains the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian Losee Gneiss — insoluble, Cambrian Kittatinny Quartzite — insoluble) — New Jersey Sussex County Lake Hopatcong New Jersey Highlands crystalline watershed produces moderately hard water at 106.5 mg/L with TDS 221 mg/L.