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Roselle Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

498 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Roselle Park, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn Roselle ParkSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
6.8 yrs
8.5 yrs-20%
Washing Machine
9.6 yrs
12 yrs-20%
Water Heater
12 yrs
15 yrs-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Roselle Park compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Roselle Park, New Jersey≈ 120–179 mg/L5.8 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Roselle, New Jersey≈ 120–179 mg/L5.8 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Union, New Jersey≈ 120–179 mg/L12.7 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Cranford, New Jersey≈ 120–179 mg/L9.9 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Linden, New Jersey104 mg/L12.9 ppt🟡 Moderately Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How Roselle Park compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Roselle Park≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Roselle Park's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 498 mg/LpH: 7.5

The Roselle Park Water Department provides water to the Borough of Roselle Park, a community of about 14,000 residents in Union County, New Jersey. Their water supply comes from a combination of surface water sources within the Passaic River watershed, including reservoirs like Pequannock and Wanaque, and some groundwater wells. Water is treated at regional facilities, such as those operated by New Jersey American Water or Middlesex Water Company, before being distributed to local homes and around Roselle Park, a borough situated near Newark and Elizabeth.

Geologically, the area is underlain by the Newark Basin’s red bed formations, specifically Lockatong and Brunswick Formation shales and sandstones from the Triassic period. As water flows through these sedimentary rocks and soils, it picks up dissolved minerals. Glacial till deposited during the Wisconsinan glaciation also contributes to the sediment load, and urban runoff can affect the water's chemistry. This geological makeup results in moderately mineralized water, a typical characteristic of mixed surface and groundwater systems found in urban areas of Union County.

At moderately hard levels, you might notice some scale buildup in appliances like dishwashers and water heaters, which can decrease their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. Faucet aerators and showerheads can also become clogged, and you may find spots on dishes after they're washed. While soap may not lather quite as easily, addressing these issues can be worthwhile. Regularly descaling with vinegar, installing scale filters, or considering a water softener can help prevent higher energy costs and extend the life of your household appliances by years. Roselle Park's water has recently shown 7 contaminants exceeding EPA health guidelines, including potential PFAS, so using certified filters is advised.

Geology & Source: Triassic and Jurassic sandstones and shales of the Newark Basin; limestone and dolomite absent, but sedimentary rocks and soils leach moderate calcium and magnesium

Other New Jersey Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roselle Park's water safe to drink?
Yes. Roselle Park's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Roselle Park?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Roselle Park's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
How does Roselle Park compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Roselle Park (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 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 Roselle Park 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

pH

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.