How does Jackson's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Jackson (85.33 mg/L) is 65 mg/L softer than average.

Jackson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

85.33mg/L

Moderately Hard

5 grains per gallon

Source

groundwater

pH Level

5.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

47 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.23

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

85.33mg/L as CaCO₃Moderately Hard

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 Jackson, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Jackson	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	10.4 yrs	12 yrs	-13%
Water Heater	12.2 yrs	15 yrs	-19%

Regional Water Comparison

How Jackson compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Jackson, New Jersey	85.33 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	groundwater
Atco, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Sicklerville, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	11.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Marlton, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Pine Hill, New Jersey	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Jackson compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Jackson	85.33 mg/L	🟡 Low
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Jackson's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 47 mg/LpH: 5.2

Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority (JTMUA) serves approximately 35,661 residents in Jackson Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. Water is sourced exclusively from deep confined aquifers: the primary supply comes from the middle Potomac-Raritan-Magothy (PRM) formation at approximately 1,400 feet deep, supplemented by the Upper PRM at 960 feet, the Englishtown Aquifer at 500 feet, and the Vincentown Aquifer at 200 feet. Water is pumped directly from wells with standard disinfection and basic treatment; no surface water sources are used.

The aquifers lie within the New Jersey Coastal Plain physiographic province, underlain by Cretaceous-age unconsolidated sediments — sands, silts, clays, and gravels of the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy group. These formations interact with rainwater percolating through the soil, picking up dissolved minerals from the sandy matrix. Because limestone and dolomite are largely absent, calcium and magnesium leach slowly from feldspars and silicates over long residence times, imparting a moderately soft character without extreme mineralization.

At moderately hard levels, water causes moderate scale buildup in pipes, faucets, and heaters, reducing efficiency of dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. Soap lathering is somewhat reduced, leading to more detergent use and potential dry skin. Maintenance tips include regular cleaning of aerators and showerheads with vinegar, installing scale-inhibiting filters, and flushing water heaters annually. A water softener is recommended for households noticing spotting on dishes or film on fixtures to prevent long-term appliance damage.

Geology & Source: New Jersey Coastal Plain; Cretaceous unconsolidated sands, gravels, and clays of the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy group — calcium and magnesium leach from sandy matrix producing moderately soft groundwater

Other New Jersey Water Reports

Atco

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Sicklerville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Marlton

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Pine Hill

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jackson's water safe to drink?

Yes. Jackson's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 85.33 mg/L (Moderately Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Jackson?

Jackson's water is moderately hard at 85.33 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Jackson compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Jackson (85.33 mg/L) is 65 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Jackson is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.