New Jersey tap water / Water systems

New Jersey American Water, Short Hills system: 2025 water quality report results

In its 2025 water quality report, the New Jersey American Water, Short Hills system reported PFOA at 9 ppt and PFOS at 5 ppt (highest running annual average). PFOA and PFOS are below New Jersey's limits but above the federal limits. Lead at the 90th percentile of home taps: 3 ppb. Hardness: up to 342 mg/L (soft to very hard).

Public water system NJ0712001, operated by New Jersey American Water. Read the utility's 2025 report; every value below was checked against it. Billing and service questions: New Jersey American Water customer service.

2025 results against New Jersey and federal limits

Each bar shows the highest running annual average reported for this system, in parts per trillion (ppt), against both limits. The darker band is the range of results the report lists; the status compares the reported value, not the top of the range, with the limits.

The 2025 report doesn't list 1,2,3-trichloropropane. New Jersey sets its own limits for arsenic (stricter than the federal one) and 1,2,3-trichloropropane (no federal limit); its sodium and chloride limits are recommended upper limits, not enforceable. Federal limits as of November 2026.

According to EPA, lead gets into drinking water when plumbing that contains lead corrodes, and where a home has a lead service line, that pipe is typically the largest source. So a home's own tap can differ from the system-wide 90th percentile.

Other PFAS detected in EPA's nationwide testing (UCMR 5), not charted because the figure isn't a compliance result: PFBA, PFHxA, PFHxS and PFPeA.

EPA kept its 4 ppt limits for PFOA and PFOS. Utilities must meet them by 2029; EPA has proposed letting systems request until 2031. In May 2026, EPA proposed withdrawing its national limits for PFNA, PFHxS, GenX (HFPO-DA) and a combined limit for PFAS mixtures. The proposal isn't final yet; EPA plans to decide in 2026. New Jersey's own PFNA limit is unaffected. (Status as of November 2026.)

Compare the NJ American Water, Short Hills system with other New Jersey water systems in one table of 2025 PFAS results, or see hardness across the same systems.

Filters certified for PFOA and PFOS

If you want to reduce PFOA and PFOS at home, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 with a PFOA and PFOS reduction claim, and check the claim on the certifier's own listing. Certification shows the filter reduces these chemicals; it doesn't guarantee levels below the federal limit.

We list a filter only when its certification document backs the claim (how we choose products). Replace cartridges on schedule; a used-up filter stops working.

Towns served by the New Jersey American Water, Short Hills system

• Irvington tap water
• Bernards Township tap water
• Maplewood tap water
• Summit tap water
• Springfield Township tap water
• West Orange tap water
• Millburn tap water
• New Providence tap water
• Berkeley Heights tap water
• Chatham Township tap water
• Long Hill tap water
• Bedminster tap water (mostly served)
• Bernardsville tap water (mostly served)

Water sources

Public community water system consisting of 25 wells, 4 surface water intakes, 12 purchased ground water sources, and 3 purchased surface water sources. Source water from Passaic River, Canoe Brook, Brunswick aquifer, glacial sand and gravel, igneous and metamorphic rocks.

The report says this system buys water from Southeast Morris County Utilities Authority, Newark, Montclair, New Jersey American Water, Raritan system and Passaic Valley Water Commission.