West Milford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

West Milford Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) provides drinking water to the Township of West Milford in Passaic County, New Jersey, serving approximately 25,000 residents across 62 square miles. Primary sources include the Wanaque Reservoir, managed by the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, supplemented by local reservoirs including Lake Nelson and Canistear Reservoir. Water is treated at the MUA's treatment facilities, which employ coagulation, filtration, disinfection with chlorine, and fluoride adjustment, before distribution through an extensive pipeline network.

The supply originates in the Wanaque Reservoir watershed within the Upper Passaic River Basin, spanning the New Jersey Highlands and Piedmont physiographic provinces. Key rock formations include Precambrian gneisses and granites in the Highlands, with overlying Devonian and Silurian shales and sandstones, alongside the Martinsburg Shale and Lockatong Formation in adjacent lowlands. Percolation through fractured bedrock and limestone-bearing tributaries leaches alkaline earth metals, imparting a moderately mineralised to hard character to the surface water without extreme softening from glacial till dominance.

Hard water causes significant mineral scaling in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan by 30–50%. Soap lathering diminishes, leading to higher detergent use and spotted dishes. Periodic vinegar descaling of fixtures and coffee makers is recommended; a water softener is advised for households to prevent buildup and extend appliance life. The 2012 CCR reports average pH around 7.5, within the optimal range for corrosion control; the utility complies with lead and copper rules via corrosion inhibitors, with no exceedances. Standard treatment includes coagulation, filtration, chlorination, and fluoride adjustment, with low turbidity and no disinfection byproduct violations.