Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Drinking Water: Self-Reported Water Quality, Use of Filters, or Purchase of Bottled Water
Summary Indicator Report Data View Options
Why Is This Important?
Water is used for many purposes including drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, and recreation. Because water use is so common in daily life, there are many opportunities for contaminated water to impact people. New Jersey has over 600 community water systems which provide drinking water to approximately 87% of the State's population. However, about 13 percent of New Jersey residents obtain their drinking water from private wells.
Definition
Percent of NJ residents self-reporting water quality by category, and use of filters or bottled water.
Data Source
Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health(http://www.nj.gov/health/chs/njbrfs/)
How the Measure is Calculated
| Numerator: | Number of people age 18 years and older self-reporting quality of water by category, and use of filters or bottled water. |
| Denominator: | Total number of persons aged 18 and older interviewed during the same survey period. |
What Is Being Done?
Public water suppliers are required by law to monitor for regulated contaminants based on type of water system and water source, and ensure the water meets state and federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The test results are sent to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). If the level of any regulated contaminant is above the MCL, additional samples are taken to confirm that a problem exists. The supplier of that water is then required to eliminate the problem by changing to another water source or by improving water treatment. The NJDEP inspects community drinking water systems and evaluates their monitoring reports for compliance with the standards. Noncompliance with a standard can result in a violation. NJDEP works with systems to ensure they notify the public and return to compliance.
Available Services
If your drinking water comes from a community water system: You can get the most recent test results for your water system by contacting your water supplier or by accessing Drinking WaterWatch available here: [https://www9.state.nj.us/DEP_WaterWatch_public/index.jsp] The NJDEP Bureau of Safe Drinking Water is responsible for ensuring public water systems satisfy federal and state drinking water standards and the other provisions of the Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts. Contact the NJDEP Bureau of Safe Drinking Water Technical Assistance at (609) 292-5550, or [http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/] If your drinking water comes from a private well: You are responsible for testing. The NJDEP recommends that you use a laboratory that is NJDEP-certified. You can call the NJDEP Office of Quality Assurance at (609) 292-3950 for information on laboratories certified to test drinking water or obtain information online at: [https://www13.state.nj.us/DataMiner] using the "Search by Category" option, select "Certified Laboratories", and search for "Certified Drinking Water Labs", "PWTA Laboratories Certified for Sampling", or "Laboratories Certified by Parameter". Well testing is required prior to the sale of residential real estate when a private well is the source of drinking water. For more information, contact the NJDEP Private Well Testing Program at (866) 479-8378 or visit: [http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/pw_pwta.html] Private Well Testing Act Frequently Asked Questions: [http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/pwta/pwta_faq.htm] NJ Private Well Testing Act Data Summary, by county, municipality, and 2 mile by 2 mile grid: [http://arcg.is/1CPkHyC] NJDOH, Drinking Water Facts: Private Wells, [http://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/documents/eohap/pw_faq.pdf] NJDOH Drinking Water and Public Health Project, [http://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/sanitation-safety/drinking-water-public-health/]