Notes

This is Healthy New Jersey 2020 (HNJ2020) Objective EH-4.   Community water systems are required to sample for coliform bacteria every month based on population, and sample for chemical and radiological parameters less frequently. Chemical and radiological violations must be addressed within a year of violation determination.

Data Source

Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Definition

Percentage of community water systems in compliance with all current state and federal drinking water requirements for water quality.

Numerator

Number of community water systems in compliance with all current state and federal drinking water requirements for water quality.

Denominator

Total number of community water systems.

Healthy People Objective: Increase the proportion of persons served by community water systems who receive a supply of drinking water that meets the regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act

U.S. Target: 91 percent

Other Objectives

'''Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective EH-4''': Increase the percentage of community water systems in compliance with all current state and federal drinking water requirements for water quality to 100% for chemical standards, 100% for radiological standards, and 100% for microbiological standards.

How Are We Doing?

Between 2005 and 2014, the compliance rates for microbiological, chemical, and radiological standards in New Jersey's community water systems remained very high. In 2010, new requirements for advanced treatment on water systems serving groundwater, known as the Groundwater Rule, went into effect, as did the requirement for mandatory electronic reporting of test results.

What Is Being Done?

The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed in 1974, requires that actions be taken to protect drinking water and its sources. The act authorized the US EPA to set national health-based standards for drinking water which could then be made more stringent by individual states. The Safe Drinking Water Act applies to all public drinking water systems in the United States.

Available Services

If your drinking water comes from a public water system: Your water supplier is required by law to monitor the system regularly and to meet state and federal standards. For community water systems, your water supplier is required to provide all customers with a Consumer Confidence Report that summarizes test results. You can also get test results for your water system by contacting your water supplier or the NJDEP Bureau of Safe Drinking Water Implementation at (609) 292-5550. 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 NJDEP Office of Quality Assurance at (609) 292-3950 for information on laboratories certified to test drinking water. Testing is required during the sale of residential real estate when a well is the source of water. For more information, contact the NJDEP Private Well Testing Program, www.state.nj.us/dep/pwta or call (866) 479-8378.

Health Program Information

For concerns regarding Federal and State drinking water regulations and public water supply monitoring results, contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water Implementation or Bureau of Safe Drinking Water Technical Assistance, (609) 292-5550. To inquire about NJ certified laboratories for testing of drinking water, contact the Office of Quality Assurance at (609) 292-3950. For information on Federal drinking water regulations and other water safety issues, contact the United States Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. Contact your Public Water Utility for public drinking water regulations and monitoring results.