Elizabeth
Elizabeth, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
With about 129,007 residents, Elizabeth ranks as the 4th-largest city in New Jersey and a mid-sized city. Water in Elizabeth is sourced chiefly from Delaware River, reservoirs, and coastal aquifers, the backbone of New Jersey's supply.
The defining water pressure here mirrors the state's: pfas contamination. Among the first states to set strict PFAS limits; dense development strains aging systems.
Statewide, New Jersey recycles about 6% of its wastewater with developing reuse programs. Locally, Elizabeth faces severe to extreme drought conditions.
The New Jersey state profile covers the regional supply outlook; the issues below detail what's driving Elizabeth's water future.
At a glance
- Population ~129,007 (4th-largest in New Jersey)
- Primary sources: Delaware River, reservoirs, and coastal aquifers
- Drought: severe to extreme conditions
- State reuse rate: ~6% of wastewater
Statewide drought history
% of New Jersey in severe+ drought (Extreme (D3) now).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Elizabeth?
Elizabeth is served by community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Statewide, 29.8% of New Jersey's systems have a recent health-based violation. Check your provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report for local results.
Where does Elizabeth get its water?
Elizabeth draws from the same regional sources that serve New Jersey: Delaware River, reservoirs, coastal aquifers.
Related water issues
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.
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