Saddle Brook Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
101 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.16
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 Saddle Brook, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Saddle Brook | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -11% |
| Washing Machine | 11.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -5% |
| Water Heater | 13.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -12% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Saddle Brook compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saddle Brook, New Jersey | 59.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Lodi, New Jersey | 183 mg/L | 13.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Elmwood Park, New Jersey | 160 mg/L | 11.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Garfield, New Jersey | 51.5 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Paramus, New Jersey | 137 mg/L | 10.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Saddle Brook compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saddle Brook | 59.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Saddle Brook's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Saddle Brook, New Jersey, in Bergen County — a Bergen County township adjacent to Paramus and Fair Lawn in north New Jersey — receives its water from New Jersey American Water, drawing from Wanaque Reservoir (Bergen County) through the north New Jersey distribution.
The soft 59.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 101 mg/L reflect the north New Jersey Bergen County Wanaque supply's soft character — despite drawing from the same Wanaque Reservoir as Oakland NJ (121 mg/L), Saddle Brook receives a more processed/blended supply with greater dilution from the insoluble Precambrian Highlands runoff component, consistent with the south Bergen County communities closer to Hackensack that receive softer blended supply. The Wanaque-Bergen supply — Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Kittatinny Limestone (slightly calcareous — minor hardness contributor), and Triassic Newark Basin alluvium (slightly calcareous — trace TDS contributor).
At 59.5 mg/L, Saddle Brook's water is soft — scale forms very slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Bergen County north New Jersey industrial corridor contribute to Saddle Brook's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Saddle Brook in Bergen County draws from the New Jersey American Water on Wanaque Reservoir (Bergen County, north New Jersey) — the Wanaque watershed at Bergen County drains the New Jersey Highlands (Precambrian Reading Prong gneiss — insoluble) and Cambrian Kittatinny Limestone (slightly calcareous) — New Jersey Bergen County Wanaque Highlands Precambrian-Cambrian soft supply produces soft water at 59.5 mg/L with TDS 101 mg/L.