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

In its 2025 water quality report, the New Jersey American Water, Raritan system reported PFOA at 7 ppt and PFOS at 6 ppt (highest compliance result). PFOA and PFOS are below New Jersey's limits but above the federal limits. Lead at the 90th percentile of home taps: 2 ppb. Hardness: not listed.

Public water system NJ2004002, operated by New Jersey American Water. Read the utility's 2025 report (archived copy, Internet Archive, July 10, 2026); 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

PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid7 ppt

Highest compliance result in the 2025 report; range in the report: not detected to 7 ppt

Below New Jersey's limit, above the federal limit

PFOS Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid6 ppt

Highest compliance result in the 2025 report; range in the report: not detected to 6 ppt

Below New Jersey's limit, above the federal limit

Each bar shows the highest compliance result 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.

New Jersey American Water, Raritan system: values in the 2025 water quality report, with New Jersey and federal limits
MeasureReportedNJ limitFederal limitStatus
PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid7 pptRange in the report: not detected to 7 ppt14 ppt4 pptBelow NJ limit, above federal
PFOSPerfluorooctane sulfonic acid6 pptRange in the report: not detected to 6 ppt13 ppt4 pptBelow NJ limit, above federal
HFPO-DA and PFNANot detected
Lead90th percentile of home taps2 ppbAction level 15 ppb (10 ppb from November 2027)Below action level
1,2,3-Trichloropropane0.02 ppbHighest compliance result, range 0.01 to 0.02 ppb, 20250.03 ppbNoneBelow New Jersey limit
Arsenic1 ppbHighest compliance result, range ND to 1 ppb, 20235 ppb10 ppbBelow both limits
SodiumSecondary standard99 ppmHighest result, range 32 to 99 ppm, 202550 ppm recommended upper limitNot enforceableNoneAbove recommended limit
HardnessNot listed250 mg/L recommended upper limitFor taste and appearance; not enforceableNone

The report doesn't say whether that figure is a single result or a running annual average.

The 2025 report doesn't list chloride. 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, PFBS, 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, Raritan system with other New Jersey water systems in one table of 2025 PFAS results.

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.

Filters with a certified PFOA and PFOS reduction claim (on its own or as part of a total PFAS claim), checked against the manufacturer's performance data sheet
FilterTypeCertified byReduction claims
Aquasana Claryum 3-StageUnder-sinkWQANSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet
Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max FlowUnder-sinkWQANSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet
Aquasana Claryum 2-StageUnder-sinkWQANSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet
Aquasana Claryum Direct ConnectUnder-sinkIAPMONSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet
Aquasana OptimH2O whole house system (EQ-OPTM)Whole houseIAPMONSF/ANSI 53PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet
AquaTru Classic countertop ROReverse osmosisIAPMONSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 58, NSF/ANSI 401PFOA, PFOS and lead · manufacturer page
ZeroWater 5-Stage filter (pitchers and dispensers)PitcherIAPMONSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet
ZeroWater ExtremeLife faucet mount (ZFM-400, filter ZRFM-001)Faucet mountWQANSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53PFOA and PFOS · data sheet
PUR PLUS pitcher filter (PPF951K)PitcherIAPMONSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401total PFAS (test mix includes PFOA and PFOS) and lead · data sheet

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, Raritan system

Water sources

Your water comes from a public community water system consisting of 98 wells, 7 surface water intakes and 1 purchased surface water source. Source water comes from Millstone River, Raritan River, Delaware & Raritan Canal and the following aquifers: Brunswick, Stockton, Basalt, Passaic and Glacial Drift.

The New Jersey American Water, Liberty system and New Jersey American Water, Short Hills system buy water from this system, according to their own reports.

Source. 2025 water quality report, New Jersey American Water, Raritan system. Also: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System; EPA UCMR 5.

Checked against the original report in September and November 2026. See how we check the data. Found an error? Tell us.