State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM10
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM73
Hard · 121–180 PPM1
Very hard · 181+ PPM0
State water index
New Jersey water hardness
Search 60 indexed communities and 84 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median indexed hardness
81PPM
Moderately Hard
Indexed range 47–121.5 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 84
- Cities
- 60
- Matched utilities
- 60
- Counties
- 18
Understanding New Jersey
Why local comparisons matter here
New Jersey includes northern reservoir and bedrock settings, central river systems, and extensive Coastal Plain aquifers in the south.
In this index, moderately hard is the largest category, covering 73 of 84 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 81 PPM, but the full indexed range is 47–121.5 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 100%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 7%
0
Low-confidence hardness profiles
0
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 32
- Surface water
- 28
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Hopatcong119 PPM
- 2. Netcong118 PPM
- 3. Oakland116 PPM
- 4. Dover114 PPM
- 5. Waldwick114 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Stone Harbor47 PPM
- 2. Avalon48 PPM
- 3. Brigantine52 PPM
- 4. Beach Haven53 PPM
- 5. Longport54 PPM
City directory
Explore New Jersey by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
60 cities · 84 ZIP profiles
60 cities found
Page 1 of 3
Atlantic Highlands
Monmouth County · 1 ZIP
66PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Avalon
Cape May County · 1 ZIP
48PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Barnegat Light
Ocean County · 1 ZIP
55PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beach Haven
Ocean County · 1 ZIP
53PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beachwood
Ocean County · 1 ZIP
65PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bellmawr
Camden County · 1 ZIP
64PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Belmar
Monmouth County · 1 ZIP
77PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Berlin
Camden County · 1 ZIP
79PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Boonton
Morris County · 1 ZIP
81PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bordentown
Burlington County · 1 ZIP
70PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bridgeton
Cumberland County · 1 ZIP
56PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brielle
Monmouth County · 1 ZIP
75PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brigantine
Atlantic County · 1 ZIP
52PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Burlington
Burlington County · 1 ZIP
86PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Camden
Camden County · 5 ZIPs
81PPM
Range 81.1–81.2No active flag
Clinton
Hunterdon County · 1 ZIP
78PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Dover
Morris County · 1 ZIP
114PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
East Orange
Essex County · 2 ZIPs
91PPM
Range 89.5–92.4No active flag
Flemington
Hunterdon County · 1 ZIP
74PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Florham Park
Morris County · 2 ZIPs
97PPM
Range 96.5–97No active flag
Garfield
Bergen County · 1 ZIP
83PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Glassboro
Gloucester County · 1 ZIP
78PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Hammonton
Atlantic County · 1 ZIP
61PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Hawthorne
Passaic County · 1 ZIP
113PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex County | 117 PPM | 89.6–121.5 | 3 |
| Passaic County | 97 PPM | 81.2–112.5 | 2 |
| Morris County | 95 PPM | 81.1–118 | 8 |
| Mercer County | 86 PPM | 85.9–86 | 7 |
| Bergen County | 84 PPM | 81–116 | 7 |
| Essex County | 82 PPM | 81.1–92.4 | 13 |
| Hudson County | 82 PPM | 81.5–82.4 | 3 |
| Union County | 82 PPM | 81.8–81.8 | 1 |
| Camden County | 81 PPM | 64.4–81.2 | 7 |
| Middlesex County | 80 PPM | 80.4–80.4 | 1 |
| Burlington County | 78 PPM | 69.7–85.9 | 2 |
| Gloucester County | 78 PPM | 62.5–80.8 | 7 |