Iselin Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
303.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.35
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 Iselin, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Iselin | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -39% |
| Washing Machine | 8.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -31% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Iselin compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Iselin, New Jersey | 133 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Colonia, New Jersey | 112 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Avenel, New Jersey | 176.5 mg/L | 12.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Woodbridge, New Jersey | 77.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Fords, New Jersey | 38 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Iselin compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Iselin | 133 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Iselin's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Iselin, New Jersey, in Middlesex County — an unincorporated Middlesex County community adjacent to Woodbridge and Edison, in the northeast New Jersey industrial corridor along the New Jersey Turnpike in the Raritan Bay watershed — receives its municipal water from New Jersey American Water (NJAW), drawing from the Raritan River and Millstone River reservoirs through the NJAW Raritan system serving Middlesex County.
The moderately hard 133 mg/L hardness and TDS of 303.8 mg/L reflect the Raritan system's mix of Highlands crystalline (soft) and Piedmont Triassic red shale (moderately mineralized) drainage. The Raritan River watershed includes the Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss (insoluble), the Triassic Brunswick Formation (calcareous red sandstone and shale — moderate hardness contributor), and Jurassic diabase intrusions (insoluble). The blended Raritan-Millstone supply produces the moderate hardness characteristic of the central Middlesex County supply.
At 133 mg/L, Iselin's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 10.4 ppt is elevated and warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Middlesex County chemical-pharmaceutical manufacturing corridor (Edison PFAS complex, Linden refinery), the Raritan River industrial PFAS legacy, and the northeast New Jersey PFAS manufacturing belt contribute to Iselin's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Iselin in Middlesex County draws from NJ American Water on the Raritan River watershed (Middlesex County, Raritan-Millstone system) — the Raritan drains the Highlands (Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss) and the Piedmont (Triassic Brunswick Formation red shale) — New Jersey Raritan-Piedmont Triassic red shale drainage produces moderately hard water at 133 mg/L with TDS 304 mg/L in this Middlesex County New Jersey community.