Union City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
460.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
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 Union City, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Union City | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -55% |
| Washing Machine | 7.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -41% |
| Water Heater | 8.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Union City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Union City, New Jersey | 175.5 mg/L | 12.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Weehawken, New Jersey | 57.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| West New York, New Jersey | 64 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| North Bergen, New Jersey | 107.5 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Secaucus, New Jersey | 110 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Union City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Union City | 175.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Union City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Union City, New Jersey, in Hudson County directly across the Hudson River from Midtown Manhattan — the most densely populated city in the United States — draws its municipal water supply through the United Water (SUEZ Water New Jersey) Hudson County distribution system or Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC), treating Passaic River or Wanaque Reservoir water for Hudson County distribution. Union City is in the densely populated Hudson County urban core adjacent to Hoboken and North Bergen. Water hardness in Union City measures 175.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Union City's hard supply reflects the Hudson County urban distribution network characteristics. Hudson County receives treated water through the dense urban distribution infrastructure of the New Jersey side of the Hudson — a water system serving one of the nation's most densely populated urban environments. The aged cast-iron distribution mains serving the dense pre-war residential and commercial development in Union City (Hudson County's residential development peak was the 1920s–1940s) accumulate substantial mineral content from the Passaic or Wanaque Reservoir supply. The 175.5 mg/L reflects the combination of the moderately hard Passaic River source water processed through the dense, aged Hudson County urban distribution infrastructure.
At 175.5 mg/L, Union City residents face regular hard water challenges. Scale deposits form on faucet aerators, showerheads, and appliances within weeks — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. SUEZ Water New Jersey consistently delivers water meeting all New Jersey DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Passaic River and Wanaque Reservoir via the Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) or the United Water (SUEZ Water New Jersey) serving the Hudson County distribution — the New Jersey Highlands Precambrian gneiss and Passaic Valley Newark Basin sandstone watershed; hard supply at 175.5 mg/L in Hudson County.