Bronte Wells
New Jersey is the second state in the US with the highest rate of PFAS in its drinking water. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals believed to cause health problems, including reproductive issues and an increased risk of certain cancers. The state has been taking steps to address water pollution, including proposing regulations that require municipalities to test for and address PFAS contamination. Additionally, New Jersey has created a Water Risk and Equity Map to help residents, advocates, and policymakers understand water risks in their communities, such as flooding, lead service lines, and impaired water quality. The state also works with organizations like the Camden Collaborative Initiative (CCI) to address issues like lead piping and renter's rights.
What is New Jersey doing about water pollution?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water Risk and Equity Map | Provides information to help residents, advocates, and policymakers understand water risks in their communities. It includes data on areas at risk of flooding, lead service lines, impaired water quality, and other issues. |
| Lead Contamination | New Jersey passed a bill requiring landlords and homeowners to disclose if their water is contaminated with lead. |
| PFAS Contamination | New Jersey was the first state to propose enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS, requiring municipalities to monitor for PFAS in their water supply. Water providers are investing in PFAS filtration systems, and the EPA has finalized drinking water regulations and allocated funding to address PFAS contamination. |
| Private Well Testing Act | The PWTA ensures that purchasers and lessees of properties served by private potable wells are aware of the quality of their drinking water source prior to the sale or lease. |
| Public Involvement | New Jersey residents are encouraged to be involved with their water by attending public hearings, asking questions, and staying informed about local activities that may impact their water source. |
| Environmental Justice | Researchers have found that drinking water in communities of color and low-income communities is more likely to be contaminated by PFAS. New Jersey defines "overburdened communities" and uses this data to address environmental justice impacts. |
What You'll Learn
- New Jersey's Water Risk and Equity Map helps residents and policymakers understand water risks in their communities
- The state is addressing lead contamination in rented homes
- PFAS contamination is a major issue in New Jersey, with the state proposing regulations to address it
- The state's forests and open spaces, which naturally filter water, are disappearing
- The New Jersey Private Well Testing Act ensures people using private wells are aware of their water quality
New Jersey's Water Risk and Equity Map helps residents and policymakers understand water risks in their communities
New Jersey faces a wide range of water-related risks, including flooding near rivers, sea level rise, and the presence of lead and other contaminants in drinking water. These issues affect different parts of the state in different ways. To help residents, advocates, and policymakers understand water risks in their communities, the New Jersey Water Risk and Equity Map was developed by Jersey Water Works (JWW) and New Jersey Future (NJF). The map won the Water Data Prize in the Equity Category in 2022.
The map contains several types of data, including water risk data, demographic information, and areas of interest. Water risk data shows areas at risk of flooding, lead service lines, impaired water quality, and other issues. Demographic information shows the location of overburdened communities as defined by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Areas of interest include additional information such as watershed boundaries.
The map includes two types of Environmental Justice Hotspots, which are areas where overburdened communities face high levels of water risks. The blue Flooding Environmental Justice Hotspots indicate areas where overburdened communities face three or more water risks, including being in a 500-year flood zone as mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The green areas are both Flooding EJ Hotspots and Water Infrastructure EJ Hotspots.
The map is a valuable tool for addressing inequities in water risk exposure and helping the public identify potential risks and prioritize solutions. It enables users to visualize information, which can be a more effective means of communication than text alone. It can also help users discover new relationships between datasets. For example, the map can be used to identify general patterns and trends of flooding and known water quality issues in the state, as well as potential incidence of water-related risks in specific communities.
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The state is addressing lead contamination in rented homes
In recent years, New Jersey has been grappling with a water crisis, with lead contamination being detected in the tap water of Newark, the state's largest city. This has prompted a range of responses from the state to address lead contamination in rented homes.
Firstly, the state has taken steps to raise awareness and provide information to residents about lead contamination. In May 2021, a new law was passed requiring landlords to disclose elevated lead levels in drinking water to their tenants. This law ensures that renters are informed about potential health risks and empowers them to make informed decisions regarding their water usage.
Additionally, the state has recommended specific actions for residents to take as precautions. These include rinsing with clean water and avoiding vacuuming hard surfaces, as regular vacuums can spread lead dust. Residents are also advised to frequently wash children's hands, faces, toys, and pacifiers, and to ensure their children eat regular, nutritious meals with adequate amounts of iron and calcium to reduce lead absorption.
New Jersey has also addressed the issue of lead paint contamination, which can be a significant concern in older homes. The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Act of 1992, also known as Title X, directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to require the disclosure of information on lead-based paint and hazards before the sale or lease of most housing built before 1978. This legislation ensures that buyers and renters are informed about potential lead hazards and can take necessary precautions during renovations or remodelling.
Furthermore, the state has taken legal action to address lead contamination. In June 2018, the Newark Education Workers (NEW) Caucus and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a citizen suit against the City of Newark and New Jersey state officials to secure safe drinking water for residents. This lawsuit prompted the city, Essex County, and the state to commit significant resources to addressing the issue. By January 2021, Newark had made substantial progress in removing lead service lines, with over 18,000 lines being replaced at no direct cost to residents.
While New Jersey has implemented various measures to address lead contamination in rented homes, the issue remains a work in progress. The state continues to face environmental challenges and works towards improving water quality for all its residents.
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PFAS contamination is a major issue in New Jersey, with the state proposing regulations to address it
New Jersey faces a wide range of water-related risks, including flooding, sea level rise, and contaminated drinking water. PFAS contamination is a significant issue in the state, with New Jersey being the second-highest state in the country for PFAS rates in its drinking water. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made industrial-grade chemicals used in various everyday products, from makeup to medical supplies and even pizza boxes. These chemicals are highly resistant, being heat, stain, fire, and water-resistant.
The presence of PFAS in drinking water is believed to cause a range of adverse health effects, including reproductive issues, an increased risk of certain cancers, and a weakened immune system. In recognition of the severity of the problem, New Jersey became the first state in 2018 to propose enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS, mandating that municipalities monitor their water supplies for these contaminants.
The state has since adopted stringent drinking water standards for two PFAS chemicals: PFOA and PFOS, which are known as "forever chemicals" due to their resistance to breakdown. Despite these efforts, high levels of PFAS continue to be detected in the state's water systems, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. This has prompted water providers and municipalities to invest in PFAS filtration systems, which can cost millions of dollars and lead to increased water rates for customers.
To address the issue, the EPA is expected to rule on proposed PFAS regulations soon, and the bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated $9 billion to invest in drinking water systems impacted by PFAS. These steps are crucial in protecting public health and ensuring safe drinking water for New Jersey residents.
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The state's forests and open spaces, which naturally filter water, are disappearing
As the most densely populated state in the US, New Jersey is facing a range of water-related risks, from flooding near rivers to sea level rise and contaminated drinking water. The state's forests and open spaces, which naturally filter and clean water, are disappearing, and this, along with industrial pollution, polluted runoff, pesticides, and aging lead pipes, is contributing to water pollution.
The New Jersey Water Risk and Equity Map highlights areas at risk of flooding, as well as those with lead service lines and impaired water quality. It is a tool that can help residents, advocates, and policymakers understand the water risks in their communities and prioritize solutions.
In addition to lead, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a significant contaminant in New Jersey's drinking water. PFAS are industrial-grade chemicals used in the production of many daily products, such as makeup, medical supplies, and pizza boxes. They are heat-resistant, stain-resistant, fire-resistant, and water-resistant, making them valuable to manufacturers. However, PFAS are believed to cause serious health problems, including reproductive issues, an increased risk of certain cancers, and a reduced ability for the body to fight infections.
New Jersey has taken steps to address water pollution by becoming the first state to propose enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS in 2018 and requiring municipalities to monitor for PFAS in their water supplies. The state has also passed a bill to ensure that homeowners and renters are aware if their water is contaminated with lead. Additionally, companies like Veolia, which provides water to 1.6 million residents and businesses in New Jersey, have invested millions in PFAS filtration systems at multiple sites in the state.
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The New Jersey Private Well Testing Act ensures people using private wells are aware of their water quality
New Jersey is the second state in the country for the rate of PFAS in its drinking water. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made industrial-grade chemicals used in the production of a variety of daily products, such as makeup, medical supplies, and pizza boxes. They are believed to cause health problems, including reproductive issues, an increased risk of certain cancers, and a reduced ability for the body's immune system to fight infections.
In 2018, New Jersey became the first state to propose an enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS, requiring municipalities to monitor for PFAS in their water supply. The bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided $9 billion to invest in drinking water systems impacted by PFAS, and the EPA is expected to issue a ruling on the proposed PFAS regulations soon.
In addition to PFAS contamination, New Jersey faces a wide range of other water-related risks, including flooding, sea level rise, and the presence of lead and other contaminants in drinking water. To address these issues, New Jersey has implemented the Private Well Testing Act (PWTA). The PWTA is a consumer information law that requires sellers or buyers of property with potable wells to test the untreated groundwater for various contaminants, including mercury, uranium, and arsenic. The testing is required for all property transactions and any time a new well or treatment system is installed at a private residence or leased space.
The New Jersey Private Well Testing Act ensures that people using private wells are aware of their water quality by mandating testing and disclosure of any contaminants. This allows residents to take appropriate precautions and make informed decisions about their water usage. It also helps to prioritize solutions and address inequities in water risk exposure.
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