Is there PFAS in Nj American Water - Raritan water?
Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show Nj American Water - Raritan averaged 6.6 ppt of PFOA at its worst sampling point, 1.6 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.
Nj American Water - Raritan
Serves 615,430 people · 18 PFOA samples from 7 sampling points · Jan 2024 to Oct 2024
Average above an EPA limit
PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid
6.6 ppt avg · max 7.5
PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
6.0 ppt avg · max 6.8
PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
3.5 ppt avg · max 3.6
Hazard index GenX, PFBS, PFNA, PFHxS combined
0.3 avg · max 0.4
Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA.
Nj American Water - Raritan is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Brtidgewater, New Jersey, serving about 615,430 people, including Cranford, Fanwood, Garwood, Kenilworth, Linden, Warren. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 18 times across 7 sampling points between Jan 2024 and Oct 2024.
Every PFAS detected
Not detected: PFHpS, NMeFOSAA, NEtFOSAA, PFTrDA, PFTA, PFNA, PFHpA, PFBS, NFDHA, PFPeS, PFMBA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFUnA, PFDoA, PFDA, PFEESA, 4:2 FTS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 36.1 ppb, detected in 6 of 18 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
What the EPA limits mean here
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
What you can do at home
Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.
Other systems in New Jersey
All 266 tested systems in New Jersey
ZIP codes served
07016 07023 07025 07027 07033 07036 07059 07060 07061 07062 07063 07066 07069 07076 07080 07083 07090 07091 07092 07203 07204 07921 07930 07977 07979 08502 08504 08512 08528 08536 08540 08541 08542 08543 08544 08550 08558 08648 08805 08807 08812 08822 08835 08836 08844 08846 08854 08869 08870 08875 08876 08880 08889
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Cite this page
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Nj American Water - Raritan water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID NJ2004002. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/new-jersey/nj-american-water-raritan/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID NJ2004002). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
