Metuchen Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
109.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.17
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 Metuchen, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Metuchen | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -12% |
| Washing Machine | 11.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -6% |
| Water Heater | 13.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -13% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Metuchen compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Metuchen, New Jersey | 63.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Fords, New Jersey | 38 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Iselin, New Jersey | 133 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Edison, New Jersey | 154.5 mg/L | 11.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Piscataway, New Jersey | 156 mg/L | 11.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Metuchen compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Metuchen | 63.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Metuchen's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Metuchen, New Jersey, in Middlesex County — a Middlesex County borough adjacent to Edison and South Amboy in north-central New Jersey — receives its water from NJ American Water or the local Metuchen-Edison system, drawing from the Raritan River (Middlesex County) through the north-central New Jersey distribution.
The moderately soft 63.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 109.8 mg/L are consistent with other Middlesex County Raritan communities (Middlesex borough: 65.5 mg/L; Bradley Gardens: 59 mg/L) — all reflecting the upper Raritan watershed's predominantly insoluble Precambrian gneiss supply with minimal calcareous dissolution. The Raritan River at Middlesex County — Precambrian Losee Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Triassic Brunswick Formation (slightly calcareous — minor hardness contributor), and Cambrian calcareous formations (slightly calcareous).
At 63.5 mg/L, Metuchen'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 6.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Middlesex County north-central New Jersey industrial corridor and Raritan Arsenal legacy sites contribute to Metuchen's readings.
Geology & Source: Metuchen in Middlesex County draws from the Metuchen-Edison Water System or NJ American Water on the Raritan River (Middlesex County, north-central New Jersey) — the Raritan at Middlesex County drains the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian gneiss — insoluble) and Triassic Brunswick Formation — New Jersey Middlesex County Raritan River Precambrian-Triassic watershed produces moderately soft water at 63.5 mg/L with TDS 109.8 mg/L.