Water treatment in Hackensack, on a supply older than the town's zip code
Hackensack's water has come from the Oradell Reservoir since the original Hackensack Water Company over a century ago. That legacy comes with mineral scale, and PFOA close to New Jersey's legal limit.
- Free in-home testing
- No obligation
- Softener sizing included
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Is Hackensack NJ tap water hard?
Independent estimators put Bergen County's water, including Hackensack's, around 129 ppm, in the hard range, which lines up with a century-old surface reservoir supply, though no Veolia CCR has published an official hardness figure for the town specifically.
Hackensack's water has run through the same Oradell Reservoir system since the original Hackensack Water Company, over a hundred years of continuous surface-water supply.
EWG's analysis of the same Veolia system found PFOA at 10.9 ppt, close to New Jersey's strict 14 ppt legal limit, plus elevated disinfection byproducts, worth knowing about alongside the hardness.
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PFOA reading versus NJ's 14 ppt legal limit
A supply with the town's own name in its history
Hackensack's water carries both a hardness legacy and a modern PFOA reading.
- Hackensack's water comes from Veolia Water New Jersey (formerly the Hackensack Water Company), sourced from the Oradell Reservoir, serving 792,713 people across Bergen and Hudson counties.
- PFOA was found at 10.9 ppt, 121 times EWG's health guideline and close to New Jersey's 14 ppt legal limit, in EWG's analysis of the system.
- Disinfection byproducts were elevated too, HAA9 at 393 times guideline and TTHMs at 231 times guideline.
- Hardness is typically reported around 129 ppm ('hard') by independent estimators, consistent with a century-old surface reservoir supply.
- 46,057 people live in Hackensack, with 37.2% Hispanic or Latino residents and 36.6% owner-occupied households, meaning a large share of families here are renters as well as owners.
Hardness first, PFOA right behind it
Hackensack's century-old supply brings two documented issues, not one.
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Water softener installation
129 ppm hard water is a century-old story in Hackensack. A properly sized softener stops the scale before it damages fixtures and appliances.
Learn more -
Whole house PFOA reduction
With PFOA at 10.9 ppt, close to New Jersey's legal limit, whole house filtration reduces it at every tap in the home.
Learn more -
Reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink
For the water your family drinks and cooks with specifically, RO adds a final layer of PFOA reduction.
Learn more
Water profile, at a glance
What our test typically confirms here.
| Category | What we typically find |
|---|---|
| Supplier | Veolia Water New Jersey (formerly Hackensack Water Company) |
| Source type | Surface water, Oradell Reservoir |
| Typical hardness | Independently estimated around 129 ppm ('hard'), not utility-confirmed |
| Documented issues | PFOA at 10.9 ppt, close to NJ's 14 ppt legal limit; elevated disinfection byproducts |
| Common home symptoms | Scale on faucets and shower doors, spotty dishes, dry skin |
What a visit in Hackensack looks like
Hackensack is one of our longer routes from Haverstraw, typically about 45 minutes, so appointments are usually scheduled one to two weeks out.
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1
Call or book online
Tell us what you're noticing about your water.
5 minutes
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2
In-home water test
A technician measures hardness and checks for PFOA and disinfection byproducts.
45 to 60 minutes
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3
Plain-language results
We explain what we found and what it means for your specific water.
Same visit
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4
A system built for your results
Hackensack appointments are typically scheduled one to two weeks out.
One to two weeks
Families who trust Lucia
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Our water system has completely transformed over the past year. We had issues with old pipes causing chlorine taste, bacteria, PFAS, and heavy metals. Lucia identified all our water problems and provided the perfect solution for our home.
T Tom Bennett Homeowner -
From the free water analysis to the final installation, everything was fast and professional. The team's expert attention to detail made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Very satisfied with the service!
A Alex Rony Homeowner -
I had doubts about installing a water system, but after calling and getting a free analysis at my home, all my concerns were addressed. Lucia was very professional and patient in explaining everything. Implementation was quick and now we enjoy pure water every day!
E Esther Howard Business Owner
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Why is Hackensack's water so hard?
Because it's drawn from the Oradell Reservoir, a surface water supply that's run through the same system since the original Hackensack Water Company. Independent estimators put it around 129 ppm, in the hard range.
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Is Hackensack's PFOA level a problem?
It stays under New Jersey's legal 14 ppt limit today, but EWG's reading of 10.9 ppt is close enough that many Hackensack households choose whole house or reverse osmosis filtration to reduce it further.
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How long has Hackensack had this water supply?
Over a century. The Oradell Reservoir system traces back to the original Hackensack Water Company, which is part of why the mineral hardness here is a long-standing, well-documented issue.
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Do you offer service in Spanish in Hackensack?
Yes, our technicians serve Hackensack bilingually, and 37.2% of the town's residents are Hispanic or Latino, so Spanish-language service is a regular part of appointments here, not an exception.
More ways we can help nearby
Ready for your free water test in Hackensack?
One visit gives you your real hardness number and where your address stands on PFOA.
- Free in-home testing
- No obligation
- Bilingual service
- Softener sizing included