Montclair Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
137.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.20
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 Montclair, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Montclair | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -16% |
| Washing Machine | 10.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -10% |
| Water Heater | 12.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -16% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Montclair compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Montclair, New Jersey | 75.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Bloomfield, New Jersey | 52.5 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Verona, New Jersey | 36 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Cedar Grove, New Jersey | 87 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| West Orange, New Jersey | 64 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Montclair compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Montclair | 75.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Montclair home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Montclair's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Montclair, New Jersey, in Essex County — a diverse and culturally vibrant Essex County suburban community, a nationally recognized diverse and integrated community (one of the most racially integrated municipalities in New Jersey, with a progressive municipal government and a major African-American professional community), home of Montclair State University (a major New Jersey public university), the Montclair Art Museum, and a major New York City commuter community known for its Victorian architecture, arts scene, and diverse cultural institutions — draws its municipal water supply via New Jersey American Water (NJAW). Water hardness in Montclair measures 75.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Montclair's moderate softness reflects the Passaic River watershed's calcareous-poor Highlands geology and NJAW treatment. The Pequannock and Wanaque watershed system draining the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian calcareous-poor Losee Tonalite and Byram Granodiorite gneiss — the Highlands crystalline core) produces inherently soft source water. The Newark Basin Triassic–Jurassic red beds contribute moderate calcareous content, and NJAW treatment of the blended Highlands source water produces the moderate 75.5 mg/L at Montclair.
With hardness at 75.5 mg/L, Montclair residents enjoy moderately soft water. New Jersey American Water consistently delivers water meeting all New Jersey DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Passaic River (Pequannock and Wanaque watersheds) via the New Jersey American Water (NJAW) — the Essex County northeast New Jersey Watchung Mountains (Precambrian calcareous-poor Highlands gneiss and Triassic–Jurassic Passaic Formation calcareous-moderate red bed of the Newark Basin); moderately soft supply at 75.5 mg/L in Essex County.