PFAS in Drinking Water in New Jersey
What residents of New Jersey need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in New Jersey?
Yes — New Jersey is one of the most aggressively regulated PFAS states in the country, with a long history of industrial fluorochemical manufacturing from DuPont, Chemours, and related companies. New Jersey set its own individual MCLs of 14 ppt for PFOA and 13 ppt for PFOS, the first state to set individual compound MCLs (not just advisories) before the federal rule.
Where does PFAS come from in New Jersey?
New Jersey PFAS comes from multiple sources: DuPont/Chemours fluorochemical manufacturing legacy at multiple South Jersey sites including Pompton Lakes and Deepwater; military installations including McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix, Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station; firefighting foam use at airports including Newark Liberty and Teterboro; and industrial manufacturing in the chemical corridor along the Delaware River.
What should New Jersey residents know?
New Jersey has set individual PFOA and PFOS MCLs that are more protective than the federal standards, and has additionally set standards for PFNA (13 ppt) and HFPO-DA/GenX (13 ppt). Multiple New Jersey utilities have already been required to test and some to treat under the state's PFAS rules. The new federal 4 ppt MCL is more stringent than even New Jersey's progressive state MCLs for PFOA and PFOS.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 (more stringent than NJ's own MCLs) |
| NJ individual MCLs | 14 ppt PFOA, 13 ppt PFOS, 13 ppt PFNA, 13 ppt HFPO-DA — first state individual compound MCLs |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | DuPont/Chemours manufacturing legacy (multiple sites), McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (military), Newark/Teterboro airports |
| Regulatory leadership | First state to adopt individual compound PFAS MCLs — model for national rulemaking |
| State regulator | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | GAC or RO; many NJ utilities have installed treatment under state MCLs |
Why PFAS Matters in New Jersey
New Jersey's PFAS regulatory leadership reflects the state's long history with fluorochemical manufacturing and its densely populated communities near contamination sources. DuPont's Pompton Lakes Works contaminated a significant area of Passaic County with multiple industrial chemicals including PFAS. The Chemours/DuPont Delaware River corridor in Salem and Cumberland counties has documented PFAS contamination. Military installations at McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst represent a major AFFF contamination source in Ocean and Burlington counties. New Jersey's NJDEP was among the first state regulators to establish legally enforceable PFAS standards rather than just health advisories, setting a model other states have followed.
New Jersey PFAS Regulation
State MCL — Stricter Than Federal
14 ppt PFOA, 13 ppt PFOS — stricter than the federal 4 ppt MCL. NJ also regulates PFNA (13 ppt) and PFHxS (13 ppt).
New Jersey DEP adopted PFAS MCLs in 2020 — 14 ppt PFOA, 13 ppt PFOS, 13 ppt PFNA, 13 ppt PFHxS — stricter than the original federal advisory. New Jersey has required large system PFAS testing since 2019 and has one of the most comprehensive state PFAS monitoring records. The state's Chemours/DuPont Chambers Works legacy in Salem County and numerous industrial sites make NJ one of the most PFAS-affected states on a population-adjusted basis.
Largest New Jersey Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for New Jersey utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Burlington and Ocean County residents near McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Passaic County communities near legacy DuPont/Pompton Lakes Works, Salem and Cumberland county communities near the Delaware River chemical manufacturing corridor, and communities near Newark and Teterboro airports face the highest documented risk.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in New Jersey
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the New Jersey utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your New Jersey utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
New Jersey PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
New Jersey State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
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 ↗