Jersey’s public water supply is subject to comprehensive oversight, generally ensuring that tap water meets or surpasses federal safety standards. While the overall quality is high, the safety of the water flowing into a specific home can vary due to factors like aging pipes and localized contamination sources. Public water systems are diligently monitored, but residents must understand the regulatory framework and verify the quality of the water delivered to their property. The state’s proactive approach to setting strict limits on certain chemicals demonstrates a commitment to public health and highlights the presence of persistent environmental challenges.
Regulatory Oversight of New Jersey Water
New Jersey’s public drinking water safety is managed through a layered system involving federal and state authorities. The baseline requirements are established by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which mandates the maximum allowable levels for numerous contaminants across the country. This federal law provides the foundation for water quality monitoring, treatment, and reporting standards.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) acts as the primary state agency responsible for enforcing these federal standards and often going beyond them. New Jersey has a history of setting Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) that are significantly stricter than the federal minimums, particularly for emerging contaminants. This proactive stance ensures that the state can regulate chemicals of concern before the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalizes its own national rules. The state’s regulatory framework reflects a commitment to a higher level of public health protection.
Key Contaminants Specific to New Jersey
Two of the most significant water quality concerns specific to the state involve aging infrastructure and persistent industrial chemicals, namely lead and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Lead contamination primarily enters drinking water from the corrosion of lead service lines, which connect the water main to the building’s plumbing. Recognizing this widespread risk, New Jersey enacted the Lead Service Line Replacement Law in 2021, mandating the replacement of all lead and galvanized steel service lines by 2031.
This ambitious law requires water systems to inventory all service lines, a necessary step given the estimated 135,547 known lead lines across the state. Furthermore, the legislation prohibits partial service line replacements, ensuring that the full length of the pipe, including the portion owned by the homeowner, is replaced simultaneously to prevent continued contamination. While this replacement process is underway, water utilities continue to use corrosion control chemicals to create a protective coating inside the pipes, reducing the amount of lead that can leach into the water.
New Jersey has also been a national leader in regulating PFAS, a group of long-lasting synthetic compounds often called “forever chemicals.” The state established enforceable MCLs for three specific compounds: perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) at 13 parts per trillion (ppt), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at 14 ppt, and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at 13 ppt. These limits are among the most stringent in the country and are far lower than the EPA’s former non-enforceable health advisories. The state’s early and aggressive regulation of these contaminants reflects their prevalence in New Jersey’s environment, often due to historical industrial use and disposal.
How Residents Can Verify Local Water Quality
For residents served by a public water system, the most reliable source of information is the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). This report details the source of the water, the results of all required contaminant testing, and compares the detected levels to the state and federal MCLs. Residents should specifically look for the tables listing detected contaminants, which indicate the highest level found and the range of detection over the reporting year.
If the CCR indicates a detected contaminant level approaching or exceeding an MCL, or if a resident has concerns about plumbing materials, a home water filter may be advisable. Filtration systems certified by organizations like NSF International can effectively reduce specific contaminants like lead, PFAS, and chlorine, though the necessary system depends on the specific contaminants identified in the report. Consulting the CCR allows for the selection of a filter targeted to address the particular water quality challenges of the local system.
Private Well Owners
New Jersey has a significant population relying on private wells, which are not regulated by the EPA or NJDEP under the same public water safety laws. The New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) addresses this by requiring testing when a property with a potable well is sold or leased. Under the PWTA, landlords must also ensure the well is tested every five years and provide the results to their tenants.
The required PWTA testing includes a range of contaminants, such as total coliform bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and naturally occurring substances like nitrates and arsenic. Following the state’s aggressive stance on emerging contaminants, testing for PFNA, PFOA, and PFOS has also been required for private wells since December 2021. For ongoing safety, the Department of Health recommends that well owners test annually for nitrates and bacteria, and every five years for lead, VOCs, and PFAS, as contamination levels can change without any noticeable taste, odor, or color.