New Jersey Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in New Jersey, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
East Greenwich Twp Water Dept has the highest PFAS in New Jersey at 73.3 ppt (18x the EPA limit). Veolia Water New Jersey Vernon Valley has the highest lead at 97 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in New Jersey
Public water systems in New Jersey with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Greenwich Twp Water Dept | Mickleton · 9,900 served | 73.3 | 5 | 18x |
| 2 | Matawan Borough Water De | Matawan · 9,084 served | 65 | 4 | 16x |
| 3 | Livingston Twp Div Of Water | Livingston · 27,391 served | 44 | 8 | 11x |
| 4 | Verona Water Department | Verona · 13,641 served | 42.3 | 7 | 11x |
| 5 | Bear Tavern School | – | 38.1 | 7 | 10x |
| 6 | Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. | Pennsville · 13,500 served | 37 | 5 | 9x |
| 7 | Lakewood Twp MUA | Lakewood · 27,614 served | 33.8 | 7 | 8x |
| 8 | Ridgewood Water | Ridgewood · 61,700 served | 31.4 | 8 | 8x |
| 9 | Ho Ho Kus Water Dept | Hohokus Boro · 4,060 served | 30.4 | 9 | 8x |
| 10 | Nj American Water - Short Hills | Short Hills · 217,230 served | 27.5 | 5 | 7x |
| 11 | Waldwick Water Dept | Waldwick · 10,208 served | 24.3 | 8 | 6x |
| 12 | Garfield Water Department | Garfield · 30,487 served | 23.6 | 5 | 6x |
Highest Lead Levels in New Jersey
Community water systems in New Jersey with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Veolia Water New Jersey Vernon Valley | Highland Lakes · 5,517 served | 97 | 6.5x over |
| 2 | Bordentown Water Departm | Bordentown · 15,821 served | 76 | 5.1x over |
| 3 | Kinnelon Water Dept | Kinnelon · 1,938 served | 72.2 | 4.8x over |
| 4 | Newark Water Department | Newark · 294,274 served | 57 | 3.8x over |
| 5 | New Lisbon Development Ctr | New Lisbon · 2,014 served | 47.7 | 3.2x over |
| 6 | Ancora Psychiatric Hospi | Ancora · 2,506 served | 46 | 3.1x over |
| 7 | Milltown W Dept | Milltown · 7,000 served | 29.4 | 2.0x over |
| 8 | Pequannock Twp Water Department | Pompton Plains · 14,010 served | 28 | 1.9x over |
| 9 | Roxbury Twp W Dept-Sky V | Landing · 4,478 served | 24.3 | 1.6x over |
| 10 | Harding Woods Mhp | Pittsgrove · 1,276 served | 24 | 1.6x over |
| 11 | Veolia Water Nj-Bald Eagle Village | Haworth · 1,258 served | 23 | 1.5x over |
| 12 | Bloomfield Water Department | Bloomfield · 47,315 served | 22 | 1.5x over |
Most EPA Violations in New Jersey
Community water systems in New Jersey with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belleville Water Dept | Belleville · 35,129 served | 28 |
| 2 | Bloomfield Water Department | Bloomfield · 47,315 served | 24 |
| 3 | Newark Water Department | Newark · 294,274 served | 24 |
| 4 | Trenton Water Works | Trenton · 217,000 served | 20 |
| 5 | Sussex W Dept | Sussex · 2,201 served | 17 |
| 6 | Ancora Psychiatric Hospi | Ancora · 2,506 served | 13 |
| 7 | Milltown W Dept | Milltown · 7,000 served | 11 |
| 8 | Burlington City Water De | Burlington · 9,835 served | 10 |
| 9 | Lincoln Park Water Dept | Lincoln Park · 11,000 served | 9 |
| 10 | United Mobile Homes Of Vineland | Vineland · 1,600 served | 9 |
| 11 | Nutley Water Dept | Nutley · 29,500 served | 9 |
| 12 | Jefferson Twp W U Lk Hop | Lake Hopatcong · 8,500 served | 8 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in New Jersey?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), East Greenwich Twp Water Dept in Mickleton had the highest recorded PFAS level in New Jersey at 73.3 ppt - about 18x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which New Jersey water system has the highest lead levels?
Veolia Water New Jersey Vernon Valley in Highland Lakes had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in New Jersey under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 97 ppb - 6.5x the 15 ppb action level.
Which New Jersey water system has the most EPA violations?
Belleville Water Dept in Belleville has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in New Jersey, with 28 violations.
Where does the New Jersey water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What New Jersey Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full New Jersey water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.