Is Hackensack, NJ Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Hackensack tap water is legally compliant, but 2 contaminants exceed health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 9.31 ppt, PFOS: 6.28 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each); lead at 11 ppb (above the upcoming 10 ppb standard, effective 2027). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Hackensack Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Hackensack Compares
Hackensack's water is 57% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 67% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within New Jersey, it ranks #5 of 22 cities (33% above the state average of 45 PPM). Among major US cities (500k+), Hackensack ranks #74 of 100 for hardness.
What Hackensack's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 60 PPM - Low Concern
Hackensack's water is moderately hard at 60 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead is the main concern here. At 11 ppb, Hackensack's average is well above the health guideline of zero — there is no safe level of lead, especially for children. Lead typically enters your water from old pipes, not the source itself. Quick fix: run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking. Better fix: a certified lead-reduction filter (NSF/ANSI Standard 53) at your kitchen faucet. If your home was built before 1986, testing is strongly recommended.
What's in the Treatment Process
Hackensack's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 34.6 ppb (43% of the legal limit, but 231x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 17.9 ppb (30% of the legal limit, but 179x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.148 ppb, which is 7.4x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 60 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 100 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 39.54 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 9.31 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 6.28 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 11 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.3 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.331 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Hackensack Homes
Recommended Filter for Hackensack
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 9.31 ppt, PFOS: 6.28 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). Lead at 11 ppb exceeds the upcoming 10 ppb action level (effective 2027). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
See all filter recommendations for HackensackQuick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.3 mg/L chlorine, many Hackensack residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Hackensack
With PFAS at 39.54 ppt in Hackensack's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request Suez Water NJ's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Hackensack's Water Supply
Water Utility: Suez Water NJ
Water Source: Hackensack River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 792,713
Hardness: 60 PPM (3.5 grains per gallon)
Hackensack's drinking water comes from surface sources — Hackensack River. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 793,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Suez Water NJ's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Suez Water NJ in Hackensack, NJ, including ZIP codes:
07020, 07024, 07074, 07075, 07601, 07602, 07603, 07604, 07605, 07606, 07607, 07608, 07621, 07628, 07630, 07631, 07632, 07641, 07642, 07643, 07644, 07646, 07649, 07650, 07652, 07653, 07657, 07660, 07661, 07662, 07663, 07666, 07670, 07676, 07699
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Hackensack to Other New Jersey Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Hackensack Water
Is Hackensack tap water safe to drink?
Where does Hackensack's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Hackensack?
How do I remove PFAS from Hackensack tap water?
What water filter is best for Hackensack?
Is Hackensack water safe for babies and infants?
What is the hardness of Hackensack water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Hackensack's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Hackensack Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 60 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Hackensack's water data.