Is New Jersey Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 22 cities across New Jersey. Find your city below.
Water quality in New Jersey varies significantly from city to city. Across 22 cities we track, hardness ranges from 25 PPM in Atlantic City to 70 PPM in Princeton, with a statewide average of 45 PPM. Most cities in New Jersey have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
19 New Jersey cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Elizabeth (7.95 ppt), Hoboken (11.3 ppt), Hackensack (39.54 ppt), Edison (18.2 ppt), Piscataway (20.34 ppt), and 14 more. A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete New Jersey Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in New Jersey
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
New Jersey cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Treatment Guides
Sized recommendations based on each city's specific water data.
City Comparisons
Princeton vs Atlantic City
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Princeton vs Elizabeth
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Elizabeth vs Hoboken
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
New Jersey Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | 70 | Moderately Hard | 0 | Delaware River + local wells |
| Elizabeth | 64 | Moderately Hard | 7.95 | Raritan River system |
| Hoboken | 61 | Moderately Hard | 11.3 | Passaic River, Hackensack River |
| Morristown | 60 | Moderately Hard | 0 | Clyde Potts Reservoir |
| Hackensack | 60 | Moderately Hard | 39.54 | Hackensack River |
| Edison | 55 | Slightly Hard | 18.2 | Raritan River & local wells |
| Piscataway | 55 | Slightly Hard | 20.34 | Raritan River + wells |
| Lawrence Township | 55 | Slightly Hard | 30.7 | Delaware River + wells |
| Woodbridge | 50 | Slightly Hard | 20.34 | Raritan River & wells |
| Perth Amboy | 50 | Slightly Hard | 48.85 | Runyon Watershed & Farrington Lake |
| New Brunswick | 48 | Slightly Hard | 18.89 | Delaware & Raritan Canal |
| Clifton | 45 | Slightly Hard | 51.59 | Passaic River & Wanaque Reservoir |
| Mount Holly | 45 | Slightly Hard | 18.05 | Rancocas Creek + wells |
| Paterson | 41 | Slightly Hard | 51.59 | Passaic River watershed |
| Jersey City | 39 | Slightly Hard | 27.16 | Boonton Reservoir |
| Toms River | 32 | Slightly Hard | 21.95 | Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer |
| Newark | 30 | Slightly Hard | 4.8 | Pequannock Watershed |
| Vineland | 30 | Slightly Hard | 25.17 | Union Lake & Cohansey Aquifer |
| Bayonne | 30 | Slightly Hard | 4.37 | Boonton Reservoir |
| Lakewood | 28 | Slightly Hard | 74.04 | Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer |
| Trenton | 27 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Delaware River |
| Atlantic City | 25 | Slightly Hard | 20.05 | Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer |