Summit Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

NJ American Water serves Summit in Union County, New Jersey, providing drinking water to approximately 217,230 people across multiple systems including Short Hills-Summit. Primary sources include the Canoe Brook and Short Hills Reservoirs, supplemented by surface water from the Raritan River treated at the Pyne Poynt Treatment Plant in Mountainside. The utility operates conventional treatment processes involving coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection at these facilities. All operations are designed to meet state and federal drinking water standards for the full service population.

The supply originates in the Passaic and Raritan River watersheds, characterized by Triassic Newark Basin geology featuring sandstone, shale, and carbonate-influenced formations. Brownstone and Brunswick Group rocks dominate the bedrock, leaching minerals into reservoirs and rivers to produce a supply with elevated calcium and magnesium. This geological setting of ancient rift basin sediments, with limestone and dolomitic layers in adjacent areas, shapes the moderately mineralised to hard water chemistry observed in the region.

Hard water at this level leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and appliance lifespan. Soap lathering is less effective, often requiring more detergent, and spotting may occur on glassware and fixtures. Regular maintenance including vinegar descaling and flushing heaters is advised; a water softener is recommended for households with noticeable scale effects. Water quality shows pH 6.8–8.4, total hardness 80–240 mg/L, fluoride adjusted for dental health, and lead at 90th percentile 2 µg/L and copper at 0.249 mg/L within action levels. Seven contaminants exceed EPA health guidelines per analyses, including potential PFAS; filters are advised for additional contaminant reduction.