Is Toms River, NJ Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Toms River tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 9.8 ppt, PFOS: 4.65 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Toms River Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Toms River Compares
Toms River's water is 77% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 81% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within New Jersey, it ranks #16 of 22 cities (29% below the state average of 45 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Toms River ranks #156 of 189 for hardness.
What Toms River's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 32 PPM - Low Concern
Toms River's water is slightly hard at 32 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Toms River is softer than 81% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Toms River has PFOA at 9.8 ppt and PFOS at 4.65 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Even though Toms River draws from groundwater, the treatment process still generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 7.75 ppb and HAA5 at 4.3 ppb. Groundwater typically needs less treatment than surface water, but when organic compounds are present in the aquifer, chlorination creates the same byproducts. All levels are within legal limits, though above the stricter EWG health guidelines.
Chromium-6 is naturally present in Toms River's aquifer geology at 0.0716 ppb — 3.6x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 32 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 45 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 21.95 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 9.8 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 4.65 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 0.8 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.6 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.51 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Toms River Homes
Recommended Filter for Toms River
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 9.8 ppt, PFOS: 4.65 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.6 mg/L chlorine, many Toms River residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Toms River
With PFAS at 21.95 ppt in Toms River's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request New Jersey American Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Toms River's Water Supply
Water Utility: New Jersey American Water
Water Source: Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer (Groundwater)
Population Served: 123,184
Hardness: 32 PPM (1.9 grains per gallon)
Toms River draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 123,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request New Jersey American Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by New Jersey American Water in Toms River, NJ, including ZIP codes:
08005, 08006, 08050, 08721, 08722, 08723, 08731, 08732, 08734, 08735, 08738, 08739, 08740, 08741, 08751, 08752, 08753, 08754, 08755, 08756, 08757, 08758, 08759
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Toms River to Other New Jersey Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Toms River Water
Is Toms River tap water safe to drink?
Where does Toms River's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Toms River?
How do I remove PFAS from Toms River tap water?
What water filter is best for Toms River?
Is Toms River water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Toms River's water?
Is chromium-6 in Toms River's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Toms River Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 32 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Toms River's water data.