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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 155 cities in New Jersey
It depends on your utility. 42 of the 155 New Jersey water systems we grade from EPA records have a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 75/100 (12 below the national 87). Lowest graded: South River Borough (F). Highest: Ocean City (A).
New Jersey's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 155 New Jersey water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 75/100 — 12 points below the U.S. national average of 87/100. 26% of graded New Jersey cities (41 of 155) score above that national benchmark, and 37 earn a Grade A. 42 cities have at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in New Jersey water systems are disinfection byproducts (chlorination), lead (older infrastructure) and nitrates (agricultural areas). See the full breakdown in our New Jersey water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in New Jersey
127,000 residents
39,839 residents
30,603 residents
24,500 residents
24,215 residents
23,500 residents
22,150 residents
20,000 residents
15,000 residents
14,820 residents
12,460 residents
11,793 residents
30,850 residents
15,800 residents
15,000 residents
12,416 residents
10,233 residents
25,000 residents
20,000 residents
10,777 residents
43,905 residents
26,686 residents
15,419 residents
11,938 residents
11,270 residents
45,538 residents
17,272 residents
10,263 residents
22,000 residents
12,765 residents
218,472 residents
63,000 residents
55,000 residents
25,295 residents
22,000 residents
12,227 residents
10,000 residents
30,561 residents
14,000 residents
12,000 residents
134,000 residents
35,000 residents
25,000 residents
14,010 residents
14,000 residents
10,802 residents
46,196 residents
29,000 residents
21,720 residents
16,964 residents
81,829 residents
377,613 residents
29,831 residents
27,614 residents
233,376 residents
45,345 residents
29,480 residents
27,300 residents
14,450 residents
19,458 residents
13,500 residents
294,274 residents
52,000 residents
41,664 residents
37,224 residents
12,378 residents
12,520 residents
10,804 residents
75,000 residents
44,396 residents
15,821 residents
15,820 residents
20,000 residents
47,427 residents
30,134 residents
26,000 residents
10,105 residents
123,184 residents
49,715 residents
41,743 residents
20,500 residents
12,600 residents
10,719 residents
615,430 residents
57,150 residents
24,136 residents
15,392 residents
14,425 residents
62,349 residents
12,991 residents
12,000 residents
310,483 residents
217,230 residents
16,466 residents
12,754 residents
262,000 residents
50,400 residents
12,153 residents
11,583 residents
11,435 residents
45,450 residents
68,000 residents
27,000 residents
20,374 residents
10,208 residents
35,000 residents
24,244 residents
55,000 residents
20,000 residents
152,415 residents
27,391 residents
23,980 residents
792,713 residents
120,146 residents
61,700 residents
30,487 residents
27,806 residents
26,777 residents
19,600 residents
15,881 residents
15,207 residents
14,000 residents
12,500 residents
40,150 residents
48,000 residents
39,174 residents
36,000 residents
19,400 residents
29,500 residents
11,393 residents
11,214 residents
47,144 residents
39,128 residents
217,000 residents
13,155 residents
274,291 residents
53,315 residents
35,000 residents
46,585 residents
36,250 residents
20,700 residents
27,500 residents
12,900 residents
35,129 residents
22,000 residents
13,641 residents
35,564 residents
22,770 residents
10,266 residents
10,759 residents
11,000 residents
52,328 residents
17,625 residents
12,000 residents
16,000 residents
This state's water quality reflects local geographic conditions, industrial activities, and water infrastructure. Water quality can vary significantly between communities, with some areas enjoying excellent tap water while others face contamination challenges requiring treatment.
Across the 155 New Jersey cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 75/100. 55 cities score below 70 (D or F) because of health-based violations, lead results, PFAS or historical readings near a limit. The highest-rated city is Ocean City with a score of 100/100, while South River Borough has the most room for improvement at 24/100.
55 of the 155 New Jersey cities we grade score below 70/100. If your city is one of them — or you just want extra protection — a certified filter is the fastest way to reduce exposure. The findings that drag a score down (lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate) are exactly the ones a basic carbon pitcher does not remove.
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Water sources typically include a combination of surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) and groundwater. The specific sources serving your community depend on local geography and infrastructure. Check your local water utility's Consumer Confidence Report for details about your water source.
These contaminants have been detected in various New Jersey water systems
State environmental and health agencies oversee drinking water quality in compliance with federal EPA standards. Public water systems are required to test regularly and report results to residents through annual Consumer Confidence Reports.
Water quality concerns vary by location. Common issues include lead from older plumbing, agricultural runoff in rural areas, and industrial contamination near manufacturing sites. Check your local water quality report and consider testing if you have specific concerns.
Review your annual Consumer Confidence Report to understand local water quality. Consider having your water tested if you use a private well or have concerns about your plumbing. Water filters certified to remove specific contaminants can address most common water quality issues.
Water quality in New Jersey varies by utility. EPA records give an average score of 75/100 across 155 graded cities, with 55 scoring below 70. We recommend checking your specific city's report and considering filtration if needed.
The most common water quality concerns in New Jersey include disinfection byproducts (chlorination), lead (older infrastructure), nitrates (agricultural areas). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 55 New Jersey cities grading D or F on EPA records, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in New Jersey are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in New Jersey water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in New Jersey. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual New Jersey city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Ocean City has the highest water quality score in New Jersey at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in New Jersey page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in New Jersey are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area