Jersey City – New Jersey – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
The Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) provides comprehensive water and sewer services to approximately 261,000 residents across New Jersey’s second-largest city. Established as a municipal utility, the system encompasses over 240 miles of water distribution lines and maintains 5,000 catch basins throughout the city. Jersey City receives some of the state’s highest quality drinking water, with an average daily delivery capacity serving residential, commercial, and institutional customers including schools, hospitals, and major businesses in this bustling Hudson County metropolis.
Jersey City sources its drinking water primarily from the Boonton Reservoir in Morris County, with supplementary supply from the Split Rock Reservoir in Rockaway Township. Water is treated at the state-of-the-art Jersey City Water Treatment Plant in Boonton before traveling through 26 miles of aqueducts to reach the city. The JCMUA has made significant commitments to infrastructure modernization, including a groundbreaking $288 million Lead Free JC program to replace all 16,000 lead service lines by 2031, and a comprehensive agreement with federal agencies to upgrade sewer systems and reduce pollution in the Hudson River and Newark Bay.
Jersey City Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Federal Compliance: Jersey City’s tap water consistently meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining compliance with EPA and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations throughout 2024.
- Lead Monitoring: Recent testing shows lead levels at a 90th percentile concentration of 4.39 parts per billion, well below the federal action level of 15 ppb, though health experts emphasize no level of lead is considered safe.
- Comprehensive Testing: JCMUA conducts regular water quality monitoring throughout the distribution system, with testing covering over 85 different parameters to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
Water Sources and Treatment
- Boonton Reservoir: Primary source providing the majority of Jersey City’s water supply, located in Morris County with excellent source water quality protection measures.
- Split Rock Reservoir: Secondary source in Rockaway Township providing system redundancy and additional supply security during peak demand or emergency situations.
- Advanced Treatment: Water is processed at the Jersey City Water Treatment Plant in Boonton using multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection before distribution.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Lead Free JC Program: Ambitious $288 million initiative launched in 2022 to replace all 16,000 lead service lines citywide by 2031, with approximately 1,000 replacements annually prioritizing vulnerable populations.
- Distribution System Upgrades: Installation of over 40 advanced insertion valves since 2020 to improve system control and reduce service interruptions, replacing some valves nearly 150 years old.
- Federal Agreement: 2022 consent decree with EPA and DOJ requiring significant improvements to combined sewer systems and drinking water infrastructure to reduce pollution and protect public health.
Environmental Justice and Health Protection
- Priority Communities: Lead service line replacement prioritizes disadvantaged communities and populations most sensitive to lead exposure, including households with children and pregnant women.
- PFAS Awareness: New Jersey leads the nation in PFAS regulation, with Jersey City monitoring for “forever chemicals” as the state implements some of the strictest drinking water standards in the country.
- Community Outreach: Comprehensive public education programs including the Lead Free JC website, multilingual resources, and dedicated customer support hotline for water quality concerns and service line identification.
Customer Support and Transparency
JCMUA provides extensive customer services including free lead testing assistance, water quality reports, and 24/7 emergency response. The utility’s commitment to transparency includes regular public meetings, detailed water quality reporting, and the innovative Lead Free JC online portal where residents can check their service line material and track replacement progress. Jersey City’s proactive approach to water infrastructure reflects its dedication to protecting public health while addressing legacy challenges in one of America’s most densely populated urban areas. The utility continues to seek state and federal funding to support ongoing improvements and ensure equitable access to safe drinking water for all residents.
Recommendations for Jersey City Residents
Check Your Service Line
Visit leadfreejc.com to check if your property has a lead service line. If listed as “unknown,” follow the step-by-step instructions to identify your service line material and report it to JCMUA at leadfreejc@jcmua.com or (201) 365-6189.
Practice Water Conservation
Support Jersey City’s water sustainability efforts by implementing simple conservation measures like fixing leaks promptly, using water-efficient fixtures, and reporting water waste to JCMUA customer service at (201) 432-1150.
Consider Additional Filtration
While Jersey City’s water meets all safety standards, homes with older plumbing or residents with specific health concerns may benefit from NSF-certified filters designed to reduce lead, chlorine taste, and emerging contaminants like PFAS.
Support Green Infrastructure
Participate in Jersey City’s green infrastructure initiatives by installing rain gardens, permeable surfaces, or rain barrels to reduce stormwater runoff and protect water quality in the Hudson River and Newark Bay watersheds.
Report Water Issues
Contact JCMUA immediately at (201) 432-1150 for water emergencies, quality concerns, or infrastructure problems. For lead service line questions, call the dedicated Lead Free JC hotline at (201) 365-6189.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jersey City’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Jersey City’s tap water consistently meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The water comes from high-quality sources including the Boonton and Split Rock reservoirs, and undergoes comprehensive treatment before distribution.
JCMUA conducts regular testing throughout the distribution system to ensure compliance with EPA and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. The utility maintains transparency through regular water quality reports and immediate notification of any issues. Jersey City sources its water from protected reservoirs with excellent raw water quality, and the treatment process includes multiple barriers to ensure safe drinking water reaches every tap.
What is the Lead Free JC program?
Lead Free JC is Jersey City’s proactive $288 million program to replace all 16,000 lead service lines in the city by 2031. The program began in 2022 and replaces approximately 1,000 lead service lines annually.
Priority is given to disadvantaged communities and households with populations most sensitive to lead exposure, including children and pregnant women. Property owners can have their lines replaced by JCMUA contractors at no cost, or hire their own contractor and apply for the Authority’s credit program. The program follows successful lead remediation in Jersey City public schools and represents one of the most ambitious lead service line replacement efforts in the nation.
Are there PFAS “forever chemicals” in Jersey City water?
New Jersey has been a national leader in PFAS regulation and monitoring. While PFAS have been detected in some water systems statewide, Jersey City benefits from New Jersey’s strict drinking water standards for these chemicals.
The state implemented some of the nation’s first enforceable drinking water standards for certain PFAS compounds in 2024. Jersey City’s water utility monitors for these emerging contaminants and is prepared to implement treatment technologies as needed to maintain compliance with evolving regulations. New Jersey’s proactive approach means residents have stronger protections against PFAS exposure compared to most states.
What should I do if my water looks or tastes different?
Occasional changes in taste, odor, or appearance can occur due to various factors including seasonal changes in source water, treatment process variations, or internal plumbing issues.
If you notice persistent changes in your water quality:
• Run cold water for several minutes to flush internal plumbing
• Contact JCMUA customer service at (201) 432-1150 to report the issue
• Request water quality testing if concerns persist
JCMUA maintains 24/7 customer service and will investigate any water quality concerns promptly. The utility’s comprehensive monitoring program ensures rapid detection and response to any water quality issues.
Quality News About Your Water
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Contaminants of Concern
Lead in Service Lines
Source: Primarily from lead service lines and lead-containing plumbing in older buildings constructed before 1986; Jersey City has an estimated 16,000 lead service lines
Health Effects: No safe level of lead exposure exists; can cause developmental delays in children, cardiovascular effects in adults, and impacts on the nervous system
Current Status: Recent testing shows 90th percentile of 4.39 ppb, below federal action level but still requiring proactive replacement JCMUA Action: Lead Free JC program replacing all lead service lines by 2031 at $288 million investment
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products that persist in the environment and accumulate in water sources
Health Effects: Linked to cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, high cholesterol, and immune system impacts; chemicals do not break down naturally
Current Status: New Jersey leads nation in PFAS regulation with strict drinking water standards; monitoring ongoing for early detection and treatment NJ Standards: Some of the strictest PFAS limits in the US, implemented in 2024
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