Roselle Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · 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
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.
| Appliance | In Roselle Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency 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
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Roselle Park, New Jersey | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Roselle, New Jersey | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Union, New Jersey | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 12.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Cranford, New Jersey | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Linden, New Jersey | 104 mg/L | 12.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Roselle Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Roselle Park | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Roselle Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
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?
Do I need a water softener in Roselle Park?
How does Roselle Park compare to the USA average?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.