Arsenic in Drinking Water in New Jersey
What residents of New Jersey need to know about arsenic in drinking water — including natural geological sources, private well risk, which utilities have documented violations, and how to remove arsenic from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, USGS · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is arsenic in drinking water a concern in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey has documented arsenic occurrence in Coastal Plain aquifer systems in South Jersey and in Piedmont crystalline bedrock wells in North Jersey. The Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer in South Jersey and the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system have documented arsenic in some areas. Piedmont crystalline bedrock wells in Bergen, Passaic, and Morris counties in North Jersey also have arsenic from granite and metamorphic geology.
Where does arsenic come from in New Jersey's water?
Two distinct pathways: (1) Coastal Plain sedimentary aquifer geology in South Jersey, where reducing geochemical conditions in deep aquifer zones can mobilize naturally occurring arsenic; and (2) Piedmont crystalline bedrock wells in North Jersey, where granite and metamorphic rock contributes arsenic similar to New England. Private well owners in both regions face risk.
What should New Jersey residents know?
Private well owners in both South Jersey Coastal Plain counties (Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, Cumberland, Cape May, Salem) and North Jersey Piedmont counties (Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Warren) should test for arsenic. New Jersey DEP requires arsenic testing at real estate transfer for properties with private wells. New Jersey has approximately 700,000 private well users.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL | 10 µg/L (10 ppb) |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary source | Coastal Plain sedimentary aquifer (South NJ); Piedmont crystalline bedrock (North NJ) |
| State requirement | Arsenic testing required at real estate transfer for private well properties |
| State regulator | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) |
| Health effects | Bladder, lung, skin cancer; cardiovascular; diabetes risk |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis or activated alumina |
Why Arsenic Matters in New Jersey
New Jersey's arsenic picture reflects its geological diversity — the Coastal Plain in the south and the Piedmont/Highlands in the north create different but both relevant arsenic exposure pathways. The state has been proactive in private well protection, requiring testing at real estate transfer and providing guidance. New Jersey DEP's private well testing program has documented arsenic as one of the most frequently detected contaminants above health guidelines in private wells.
New Jersey Arsenic Program
New Jersey DEP monitors arsenic under federal SDWIS and has documented arsenic in private wells in the Highlands region (northwest NJ) on crystalline bedrock. New Jersey enacted some of the most stringent private well testing requirements in the country — the Private Well Testing Act requires testing at real estate transactions. NJ's own MCL for arsenic follows the federal 10 ppb standard.
New Jersey Utilities With Arsenic Violation Records
The utilities listed below have at least one arsenic violation on record in EPA's SDWIS database. Violations may be open or resolved — see individual utility pages for current status and risk level.
Nj American Water - Western
Audubon Boro-0401,Audubon Park Boro-0402,Barrington Boro-0403,Bellmawr Boro-0404,Beverly City-0302,Burlington Twp.-0306,Camden City-0408,Cherry Hill Twp.-0409,Cinnaminson Twp.-0308,Clementon Boro-0411,Delanco Twp.-0309,Delran Twp.-0310,Edgewater Park Twp.-0312,Gibbsboro Boro-0413,Gloucester Twp.-0415,Haddon Heights Boro-0418,Haddon Twp.-0416,Haddonfield Boro-0417,Hi-Nella Boro-0419,Laurel Springs Boro-0420,Lawnside Boro-0421,Lindenwold Boro-0422,Magnolia Boro-0423,Maple Shade Twp.-0319,Moorestown Twp.-0322,Mount Ephraim Boro-0425,Mount Laurel Twp.-0324,Oaklyn Boro-0426,Palmyra Boro-0327,Pennsauken Twp.-0427,Riverside Twp.-0330,Riverton Boro-0331,Runnemede Boro-0430,Somerdale Boro-0431,Stratford Boro-0432,Voorhees Twp.-0434 · 274,291 served
Perth Amboy Water Department
Perth Amboy City--1216 · 52,328 served
Washington Township Mua
Washington Twp.-0818 · 48,000 served
Merchantville Pennsauken
Camden City-0408,Cherry Hill Twp.-0409,Merchantville Boro-0424,Pennsauken Twp.-0427 · 47,144 served
South Brunswick Twp W Di
Franklin Twp.-1808,South Brunswick Twp.-1221 · 45,450 served
Aqua Nj - Blackwood
Gloucester Twp.-0415 · 44,396 served
Winslow Twp Dmu
Winslow Twp.-0436 · 39,174 served
Aqua Nj - Hamilton Square
Hamilton Twp.-1103 · 39,128 served
Vineland Water & Sewer Utility
Vineland City-0614 · 36,250 served
Monroe Twp Utility Department
Monroe Twp.-1213 · 36,000 served
How Does Arsenic Get Into Drinking Water?
Arsenic in drinking water is almost always naturally occurring — it leaches from arsenic-bearing rocks and minerals into groundwater over time. New England granite, Southwest volcanic geology, and Upper Midwest glacial aquifers are the primary high-risk formations. It has no taste, odor, or color.
Full arsenic overview — geology maps, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Private well owners in Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, Cumberland, Cape May, and Salem counties (South Jersey Coastal Plain) and in Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties (North Jersey Piedmont) face the most relevant arsenic risk.
Private well owners near mining districts or agricultural areas
Residents in states with documented volcanic or geothermal geology
Long-term consumers of water from small groundwater systems
Households in homes built before 1960 with older well casings
Residents whose well water has never been tested for arsenic
Anyone living in a state where bedrock wells are common
How to Check Your Situation in New Jersey
- 1
Identify your water source. If you use a public utility, use the ZIP lookup on this page to find your system and check its compliance record.
- 2
If on public water, review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic monitoring data. The MCL is 10 ppb — your report should show recent test results.
- 3
If on a private well, order an arsenic test from a NJ Department of Environmental Protection-certified laboratory. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40. The state agency website maintains a certified lab list.
- 4
Test your well at the tap — not just at the wellhead. The entire water distribution system within your home can affect water quality.
- 5
If your test shows arsenic above 5 ppb, install certified treatment immediately. If above 10 ppb, do not use the water for drinking or cooking until treatment is installed.
- 6
Retest after installing treatment to confirm it is working as certified. Replace filter media on the manufacturer's schedule — an exhausted filter may not perform as rated.
Treatment Options for Arsenic
Boiling does not remove arsenic — it concentrates it. Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, etc.) do not effectively remove arsenic. Certified treatment is required.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis
RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 remove 85–95% of arsenic. Under-sink installation. Most effective for removing multiple contaminants simultaneously. Replace membranes and pre-filters on schedule.
Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina is specifically designed for arsenic and fluoride removal. Point-of-use or whole-house options available. Must be certified by NSF International or WQA for arsenic reduction. Requires periodic media regeneration or replacement.
Iron/Manganese Oxidation Filters
Effective for arsenic in iron-rich well water, which is common in the Midwest and New England. Oxidation converts dissolved iron and arsenic to a form that can be filtered out. Best when arsenic is co-occurring with high iron levels.
What does NOT work for arsenic
Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, refrigerator filters, most pitcher filters) do NOT effectively remove arsenic. Boiling concentrates arsenic. Water softeners do not remove arsenic. Only use products with NSF certification specifically for arsenic reduction.
Take Action Now
If you use a private well in New Jersey, test for arsenic — especially if you are in a region with granite, volcanic, or sedimentary geology. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40 at a state-certified lab.
Public water users: check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic results. The EPA MCL is 10 ppb — any detection warrants attention.
If arsenic is detected above 10 ppb (or even below it, given MCLG is zero), install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking water.
Standard carbon filters do NOT remove arsenic — do not rely on a Brita or refrigerator filter for arsenic protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Arsenic — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with arsenic records
New Jersey State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
New Jersey Well Water Guide
Testing, risks & certified labs for private wells
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 85–95% of arsenic
Best Arsenic Filter Guide
What actually works (carbon doesn't)
PFAS in Drinking Water
The 'forever chemical' contamination overview
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
NJ Department of Environmental Protection ↗