More than 7.5 million New Jersey residents drank water from systems that had reported contamination with hexavalent chromium, a naturally occurring metallic element that can damage skin, eyes and cause lung problems or cancer when inhaled.
Is the water in New Jersey drinkable?
New Jersey offers some of the most pure and safe drinking water anywhere. But it remains important to understand the impact of possible contaminants to public water supplies and private wells.
What is wrong with New Jersey water?
About 6 percent of the state’s 9.2 million residents are drinking water from systems contaminated by compounds known as PFAS, which have been found harmful to human health and stay in the body for many years. New Jersey was the first state to set strict standards for types of PFAS, well below federal guidelines.
Is New Jersey water dirty?
In 2019 it was estimated that one in five New Jerseyans received water with at least trace amounts of PFAS chemicals. Water systems across New Jersey found that they were exceeding the new standard during their annual testing in 2021.
Does New Jersey water have chlorine?
New Jersey American Water uses chloramines to treat the water for customers in its Coastal and Raritan water systems to ensure that our drinking water continues to comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) drinking water standards.
How clean is NJ tap water?
In summary, tap water in Newark and most of New Jersey’s public water supply is legally safe to drink when it leaves the plant but many pipes have been found to leach lead. To be on the safe side, use a quality active carbon filter such as TAPP.
Is there lead in New Jersey water?
New Jersey has so many lead pipes because much of the state was developed before 1986. The notices are part of a state law Gov. Phil Murphy signed in July requiring the water systems to make an inventory of lead pipes and replace them all within 10 years.
Is the water contaminated 2022?
While tap water in most major cities still appears to be safe to drink, the 2022 Blue Drop Progress Report nevertheless paints a picture of an overall decline in tap water safety procedures nationwide compared to previous similar assessments.
Is Jersey City water safe to drink?
Is our water safe? Yes. Together, the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) and SUEZ, provide you with water that meets —and often surpasses — all the health and safety standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
Where does NJ water come from?
Water for use in New Jersey comes from surface water (rivers and reservoirs) and groundwater. In this circular, withdrawals from the Delaware River are differentiated from withdrawals from other rivers in New Jersey. Reservoirs are counted only when there are direct withdrawals from them.
Why is the ocean in NJ Green?
Those turquoise hues that resemble tropical waters you sometimes see off the Jersey coast are caused by plankton blooms. Upwelling is also the cause of the temperature swing you feel when you jump in the ocean.
Why is New Jersey ocean water dark?
In our area, it is much easier for water and waves to stir up fine sand and once those lightweight particles are afloat, they stay suspended for much longer than the heavier, coarser particles in Bermuda. That’s why the silt and sand at the Jersey shore decreases water clarity and adds to a murky appearance.
Can you swim in New Jersey beaches?
But don’t go trashing your beach chairs just yet, New Jersey beaches are fine to swim or splash around in on most days, compared to most other states. Ocean beaches, as opposed to the more troublesome river or bay beaches, only come up dirty about once in every 100 tests.”
Can you drink tap water in Newark?
As a result of our regular sampling and testing program, we are proud to report Newark meets or exceeds the water quality standards of the Delaware Division of Public Health Office of Drinking Water and the Environmental Protection Agency.
What is considered clean drinking water?
The safe drinking water must be delivered that is pure, wholesome, healthful and potable. Safe water is not necessarily pure, it has some impurities in it. It contains some traces of salts such as magnesium, calcium, carbonates, bicarbonates and others. The degree of purity and safety is a relative term and debatable.
Is my tap water safe?
Water that’s safe to drink should ideally be clear with no odor or funny taste. If your tap water tastes metallic, smells fishy, or comes out cloudy, it could signal the presence of unsafe contaminants.
Does boiling remove lead from water?
Don’t: Boil water to remove lead ▪ Boiling water will not lower the amount of lead. Use hot water for drinking, cooking or making baby formula and baby cereal. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead.
How hard is water in New Jersey?
New Jersey has hard water, based on USGS water hardness measures, with an average of 106 PPM. Trenton, the state capital, has a water hardness level of 222 PPM which is extremely hard. Newark, the most populous city in New Jersey, has 51 PPM, which is considered soft water.
Is NYC tap water good?
New York City has some of the best tap water in the world. Grab your reusable bottle and drink up! Each day, more than 1 billion gallons of fresh, clean water are delivered to NYC from pristine reservoirs in the Catskill Mountains. New York City drinking water is world-renowned for its quality.
When did NJ stop using lead pipes?
1986
What is lead? Lead is a soft gray metal. Until it was banned by federal law in 1986 and by New Jersey law in 1987, lead was used in the solder that connects copper pipes, in pipes used in household plumbing, and in service lines that connect houses to the public water mains in the street.
When did they stop using lead water pipes?
1986
The federal government banned the use of leaded pipe and solder in new plumbing systems in 1986, but many remaining pipe networks in older cities and homes predate the policy; the EPA estimates there are still 6 to 10 million lead service lines across the country.