New Jersey tap water / Water systems
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.
2025 results against New Jersey and federal limits
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
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.
| Measure | Reported | NJ limit | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid | 7 pptRange in the report: not detected to 7 ppt | 14 ppt | 4 ppt | Below NJ limit, above federal |
| PFOSPerfluorooctane sulfonic acid | 6 pptRange in the report: not detected to 6 ppt | 13 ppt | 4 ppt | Below NJ limit, above federal |
| HFPO-DA and PFNA | Not detected | |||
| Lead90th percentile of home taps | 2 ppb | Action level 15 ppb (10 ppb from November 2027) | Below action level | |
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane | 0.02 ppbHighest compliance result, range 0.01 to 0.02 ppb, 2025 | 0.03 ppb | None | Below New Jersey limit |
| Arsenic | 1 ppbHighest compliance result, range ND to 1 ppb, 2023 | 5 ppb | 10 ppb | Below both limits |
| SodiumSecondary standard | 99 ppmHighest result, range 32 to 99 ppm, 2025 | 50 ppm recommended upper limitNot enforceable | None | Above recommended limit |
| Hardness | Not listed | 250 mg/L recommended upper limitFor taste and appearance; not enforceable | None | |
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.
| Filter | Type | Certified by | Reduction claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage | Under-sink | WQANSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401 | PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet |
| Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow | Under-sink | WQANSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401 | PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet |
| Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage | Under-sink | WQANSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401 | PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet |
| Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect | Under-sink | IAPMONSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401 | PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet |
| Aquasana OptimH2O whole house system (EQ-OPTM) | Whole house | IAPMONSF/ANSI 53 | PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet |
| AquaTru Classic countertop RO | Reverse osmosis | IAPMONSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 58, NSF/ANSI 401 | PFOA, PFOS and lead · manufacturer page |
| ZeroWater 5-Stage filter (pitchers and dispensers) | Pitcher | IAPMONSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53 | PFOA, PFOS and lead · data sheet |
| ZeroWater ExtremeLife faucet mount (ZFM-400, filter ZRFM-001) | Faucet mount | WQANSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53 | PFOA and PFOS · data sheet |
| PUR PLUS pitcher filter (PPF951K) | Pitcher | IAPMONSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401 | total 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
- Piscataway tap water
- Plainfield tap water
- Bridgewater tap water
- Linden tap water
- Hillsborough tap water
- Union Township tap water
- Westfield tap water
- Princeton tap water
- West Windsor tap water
- Scotch Plains tap water
- Plainsboro tap water
- Cranford tap water
- Montgomery tap water
- Raritan Township tap water
- North Plainfield tap water
- Roselle tap water
- Hillside tap water
- Warren tap water
- Clark tap water
- Branchburg tap water
- Middlesex tap water
- Roselle Park tap water
- Somerville tap water
- Bound Brook tap water
- Manville tap water
- Kenilworth tap water
- Raritan Borough tap water
- Fanwood tap water
- Dunellen tap water
- Green Brook tap water
- Mountainside tap water
- Watchung tap water
- Jamesburg tap water
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.