New Jersey
New Jersey sits in the Northeast and draws its water primarily from Delaware River, reservoirs, and coastal aquifers. With roughly 9.3 million residents, the state has a developing water reuse program, reusing an estimated 6% of its treated wastewater.
New Jerseywater quality & safety
Top violation drivers in New Jersey
| Contaminant / rule | Systems |
|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | 102 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | 33 |
| TTHM | 25 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | 18 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U | 12 |
| Groundwater Rule | 11 |
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1 · health-based violations since 2016
Among the first states to set strict PFAS limits; dense development strains aging systems.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, New Jersey currently tracks around severe to extreme conditions. New Jersey has 620 community water systems serving about 9 million people; EPA records show 185 of them (29.8%) with a health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016. The pages below break down the water issues that matter most here and the communities working on solutions.
Drought history — severe+ extent
% of New Jersey in severe drought or worse (D2+) each late summer.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC/UNL, USDA, NOAA) · latest 2026-06-09
Water use (USGS 2015)
- Per-capita (public supply)
- 147 gpcd
- Total withdrawals
- 5.3 Bgal/d
- From groundwater
- 30.2%
- Irrigation share
- 1.8%
- Wastewater reused (est.)
- ~6%
Primary water sources
- ≈ Delaware River
- ≈ reservoirs
- ≈ coastal aquifers
Common questions
Is tap water safe in New Jersey?
New Jersey has 620 community water systems serving about 9 million people. EPA records show 185 of them (29.8%) with at least one health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016, and 6 system(s) over the federal lead action level. Most large systems meet standards; check your specific city and your utility's annual report.
What contaminants are most common in New Jersey's water?
The most frequent health-based violations involve Lead and Copper Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule, TTHM.
How much water does New Jersey use per person?
Public water systems in New Jersey withdraw about 147 gallons per person per day (USGS 2015), drawing 30.2% of fresh water from groundwater.
How bad is the drought in New Jersey?
As of 2026-06-09, 100% of New Jersey is in drought (D1+) and 74.1% is in severe drought or worse, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Cities in New Jersey
29 trackedNewark
Newark, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Jersey City
Jersey City, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Paterson
Paterson, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Edison
Edison, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Toms River
Toms River, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Clifton
Clifton, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Trenton
Trenton, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Camden
Camden, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Passaic
Passaic, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Union City
Union City, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Key issues in New Jersey
PFAS Contamination
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances persist in water supplies for decades. New federal limits are forcing utilities nationwide to invest in advanced treatment.
ExploreAging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExploreSaltwater Intrusion
As coastal aquifers are over-pumped and seas rise, saltwater pushes inland and contaminates freshwater supplies for cities from Florida to California.
Explore