Water hardness in Jersey City
4.8 gpg moderately hard
Tap water in Jersey City is moderately hard: 4.8 gpg (83 mg/L · 4.6 °dH · 8.3 °fH).
Source: Veolia / JCMUA Jersey City Consumer Confidence Report (2022 data) (2022) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 62–103 mg/L.
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Jersey City's supply comes from the Boonton Reservoir on the Rockaway River in Morris County, with water rights at nearby Split Rock Reservoir. Reservoir water from the New Jersey Highlands is moderately hard at 82.5 mg/L CaCO₃, and the 62–103 mg/L range reflects the year's sampling. Some scale on kettles, but a softener is optional. The figure dates from 2022 and may have changed.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 4.8 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA; operated by Veolia) |
How Jersey City compares
- Tap water in Jersey City is 47 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1097 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 20 % of these cities have softer water.
- In New Jersey it is number 29 of 34 cities; the regional median is 6.4 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: New York, 3 km away (1.9 gpg).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: West New York, 8 km away (9.1 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Jersey City
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 5 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Jersey City water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 83 mg/L as CaCO₃ (4.8 gpg, 4.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Jersey City safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Jersey City water?
4.8 gpg, equal to 4.6 °dH, 8.3 °fH or 83 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Jersey City?
For 83 mg/L (4.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Jersey City?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: Veolia / JCMUA Jersey City Consumer Confidence Report (2022 data) (2022). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. Veolia / JCMUA Jersey City Consumer Confidence Report (2022 data) · Outdated figure? Tell us