New Milford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
203.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 New Milford, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In New Milford | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How New Milford compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ New Milford, New Jersey | 100.5 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Bergenfield, New Jersey | 43 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Dumont, New Jersey | 144.5 mg/L | 11 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Teaneck, New Jersey | 154 mg/L | 11.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hackensack, New Jersey | 73 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How New Milford compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ New Milford | 100.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes New Milford's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
New Milford, New Jersey, in Bergen County — a Bergen County borough adjacent to River Edge and Bergenfield on the Hackensack River in northeast New Jersey — receives its municipal water from United Water (now Suez New Jersey), drawing from Oradell Reservoir (Hackensack River, Bergen County) through the United Water Haworth Water Treatment Plant.
The moderately hard 100.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 203.7 mg/L reflect the Bergen County Hackensack-Oradell Reservoir supply's mixed Highlands-Newark Basin character. Oradell Reservoir on the Hackensack River collects drainage from the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss and amphibolite — mostly insoluble) blended with drainage from the Triassic Newark Basin (Brunswick Formation red shale — calcareous, the primary hardness source). The insoluble Highlands basement tempers the Newark Basin carbonate contribution, producing the moderately hard Bergen County supply.
At 100.5 mg/L, New Milford'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 8.6 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Bergen County northeast New Jersey industrial corridor (Hackensack River PFAS legacy from the Bergen County industrial park network), and the New Jersey PFAS complex contribute to New Milford's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: New Milford in Bergen County draws from United Water on Oradell Reservoir (Hackensack River, Bergen County, northeast New Jersey) — the Hackensack River drains the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss — insoluble) and Triassic Newark Basin (calcareous Brunswick redbeds) — New Jersey Bergen County Hackensack River Precambrian-Triassic watershed produces moderately hard water at 100.5 mg/L with TDS 203.7 mg/L in this Bergen County New Jersey borough.