New Jersey’s Hard Water Problem: Why a Whole House Water Softener is a Must for Homeowners

It wasn’t too long before New Jersey residents went into a protest to get the supply of contaminated water. Currently, New Jersey residents have a hardness level of 140 parts per million (ppm), which is equivalent to 8.18 grains per gallon (gpg) of hard water.

This is just the New Jersey. You will be shocked by what other states are going through. But why is this happening? What causes the hard water in New Jersey?

• Industrial activities

• Agricultural runoff

• Aging infrastructure

Water collects calcium and magnesium for these reasons. The majority of New Jersey residents (63%) get their drinking water from surface sources like the Millstone River, Raritan River, and Delaware River. Only 37% rely on public wells.

If we are being specific, then it can be put as:

• Delaware River Basin and Raritan River Basin is a surface water source with moderate hardness.

• Coastal Plain Aquifers are underground water sources high in calcium and magnesium.

• Well Water contains the hardest water.

Whatever the cause of water hardness, it ultimately affects personal health and home appliances, leading to higher bills and costs.

• Hard Water, Hard Problems: Scale buildup clogs pipes, ruins appliances

• Higher Bills, Lower Efficiency: Hard water reduces appliance performance, increasing utility bills

• Dry Skin & Dull Hair: It strips moisture, leaving your skin itchy and hair brittle.

• Soft Water, Smart Solution: A water softener protects your home, saves money, and keeps water clean and comfortable.

The Hard Water Problem in New Jersey

Hard water makes water lose its taste and leaves thicker stains on whatever it touches. This happens because of high levels of dissolved minerals. Water collects these minerals while passing through underground limestone and chalk deposits.

Generally, the hardness scale of water goes like this:

• Soft Water: 0-50 ppm

• Moderately Hard Water: 51-120 ppm

• Hard Water: 121-180 ppm

• Very Hard Water: 180+ ppm

New Jersey has 140 ppm, which means the water contains hard minerals. The scale goes up and down depending on the region.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and local water reports already pointed out that most New Jersey residents use hard to very hard water.

That’s how the water looks in different cities of New Jersey, more or less. Many New Jersey residents are expressing their frustration with hard water. Homeowners living in areas with Well water or older plumbing systems suffer a lot more than others.

They complain about the following:

• Trenton Resident: "I have to descale my coffee maker and showerhead every month because of white buildup. My water heater broke down in just three years!"

• Edison Homeowner: "My skin is always dry and itchy after showers. No matter how much lotion I use, it never seems to help!"

• Jersey City Apartment Renter: "My dishes always have white spots, and my hair feels rough no matter what shampoo I use."

How Hard Water Damages Your Home and Health?

With nearly 85% of U.S. homes experiencing hard water, New Jersey residents are among the most affected. Their water is full of calcium and magnesium. This primarily occurs due to the natural composition of groundwater and surface water sources.

The pipes are getting clogged due to scale buildup, and the water tastes metallic. This hard water is having an impact on:

• Water quality

• Damages plumbing

• Increases household expenses

• Hair and skin

At first, these issues are primarily seen as "not a big deal," but residents begin to notice the negative impact over time. They face costly repairs and inconveniences.

What residents are facing now is that:

1. Plumbing Issues

Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits (limescale). Over time, this limescale starts to grow on the walls of pipes. This buildup narrows the water flow, leading to:

• Low water pressure in showers and faucets.

• Frequent clogs require plumbing maintenance.

• Faster pipe deterioration, especially in older homes.

Hard water doesn’t directly corrode pipes. However, the constant contact of minerals forces water to find alternative routes, damaging the pipe and causing it to leak.

Pipe replacement due to limescale buildup can cost $1,000 - $5,000. It can cost more depending on severity.

1. Appliance Lifespan

Hard water reduces the efficiency and lifespan of appliances that rely on water, including:

• Minerals gather at the bottom of the heater and build up into a thick layer of scale.

• Hard water can cut a water heater’s lifespan by 30-50%

• Detergents lose effectiveness, causing cloudy dishes and stiff clothes.

• Hard water can shorten the lifespan of dishwashers and washing machines by 2-4 years.

The Cullingan Lubbock reported a 48% reduction in appliance efficiency and a 29% increase in energy bills due to hard water. According to American Home Water & Air, limescale buildup in appliances can reduce their efficiency by 30%.

Appliance Type	Lifespan with Soft Water	Lifespan with Hard Water
Dishwasher	10	10
Washing Machine	11	7.7
Faucets	9	5.4
Toilets	6.5	2
Electric water heater	13	6.5
Gas water heater	11	5.5

1. Skin & Hair Problems

Dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross states that iron and magnesium can create free radicals, which damage healthy skin cells. In his opinion, hard minerals cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear.

• Hard water can also leave a soap residue on your scalp, leading to dryness and irritation.

• It worsens eczema and psoriasis, causing increased irritation.

• Minerals in hard water strip moisture from the skin.

• Calcium and magnesium prevent shampoo from lathering properly

• This can cause itchy scalp, dandruff, and lifeless, brittle hair

• Hard water reacts with soap to form soap scum

• Soap scum sticks to the skin and causes breakouts and clogged pores

1. Increased Energy Bills

When the scale builds up inside water heaters and appliances, they work harder and use more energy. This ends up with:

• Higher heating costs due to limescale reducing efficiency

• More frequent repairs and replacements for appliances

• Up to 30% more energy consumption in homes with hard water

The Solution: Whole House Water Softener Systems

To deal with these problems, experts recommend installing a whole-house water softener. Half of American households report relying on home treatment systems (32%) or bottled water (18%) for quality drinking water. HomeWater 101 reported that only 30% of people in the USA use water softeners.

Water softener removes excess minerals from the water supply before it reaches faucets and appliances. The system uses an ion exchange system to remove calcium and magnesium.

The process cycle:

• Hard water passes through a softener, replacing calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium.

• The treated water then flows through the home.

• The resin fills with calcium and magnesium and needs a salt solution to remove the trapped minerals.

Benefits include:

• Extended lifespan of plumbing and appliances

• Lower energy bills and maintenance costs

• Softer skin, smoother hair, and cleaner clothes

• Reduced soap usage and easier cleaning

“Many homeowners don’t realize just how much hard water is costing them until they switch to a water softener," says Hunter Baldwin, a water expert at NJ Water System.

Types of Water Softeners for NJ Homeowners

New Jersey residents have several options when selecting a water-softening system:

1. Salt-Based Ion Exchange Softeners (Most Common & Effective)

Best for: Hard to very hard water (7+ gpg)

• Uses sodium or potassium chloride to remove calcium & magnesium.

• Requires periodic refilling with softener salt.

• Provides the most thorough softening and prevents scale buildup.

Cost: $500 – $6,500 (plus $50–$150 per year for salt)

1. Salt-Free Water Conditioners (Alternative for Moderately Hard Water)

Best for: Moderately hard water (3-7 gpg)

• Uses a conditioning process (TAC - Template Assisted Crystallization) to neutralize minerals rather than remove them.

• Does not require salt or regeneration cycles.

• Reduces scale but may not be as effective as salt-based softeners.

Cost: $1,000 – $3,000 (no ongoing salt cost)

1. Dual-Tank Water Softeners (For Large Households or Well Water Users)

Best for: High-demand homes with well water

• Two alternating resin tanks ensure a constant supply of soft water.

• Eliminates downtime during the regeneration cycle.

• More expensive but ideal for families with high water usage.

Cost: $2,000 – $5,500

1. Magnetic or Electronic Descalers (Budget-Friendly Option)

Best for: Renters or those wanting an easy, low-cost solution

• Uses electromagnetic waves to alter mineral behavior, reducing scale formation.

• Does not remove minerals, so some hardness effects remain.

• Easy to install but less effective for severe hard water issues.

Cost: $150 – $600

Installing a water softener is a long-term investment. It saves money by preventing damage and reducing maintenance costs. What it will do is:

• Less strain on appliances reduces energy consumption

• Prevents costly repairs and premature replacements

• No pipe clogging or corrosion from mineral buildup

• Fewer plumbing repairs and replacements

• Softer skin and hair with no dryness or irritation

• Cleaner dishes, clothes, and surfaces with no soap scum or residue

Expert Opinions

James Keller, NJ Master Plumber (20+ years experience):

"Most of the plumbing issues I deal with in New Jersey are caused by hard water. Scale buildup in pipes and water heaters forces homeowners to replace expensive appliances sooner than they should.”

Johnny Pujol, CEO of Tap Score Water Testing and SimpleLab, Inc., advises those with sodium sensitivities to avoid sodium-adding water softeners.

A study from Ohio State University found that soft water speeds up household cleaning. It reduced the weekly cleaning time from four hours to two hours and 21 minutes.

NJ Water Systems For the Rescue

NJ Water Sytems is a leading provider of water treatment solutions in New Jersey. They offer free in-home water testing and consultations to help homeowners assess water hardness and find the best softening system. Their water softener system removes 99% of hard water minerals from the water.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit NJ Water Systems or call (732) 982-4377.

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