New Jersey Water Contamination Lawsuits [2025 Update]

New Jersey faces significant challenges with contaminated drinking water. PFAS, a synthetic class of “forever chemicals” have polluted soils and water supplies across the state. These chemicals pose an elevated risk of serious health problems, even in relatively small quantities. At the same time, cities like Newark face ongoing risks of lead exposure due to aging infrastructure.

Individuals who have been exposed to contaminated water in New Jersey are filing lawsuits to receive compensation for their injuries and suffering.

Why Are People Filing Water Contamination Lawsuits in New Jersey?

New Jersey, situated between the Northeast’s two largest cities, has long faced environmental pressures related to its industrial past and population density. Companies like 3M have introduced PFAS into the environment, contaminating drinking water. At the same time, military sites and airports have contributed to the problem through the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a PFAS-laden substance used to fight liquid fuel fires. Ingestion of these chemicals is linked to serious health conditions like cancer and ulcerative colitis. 

Although the health risks posed by PFAS are increasingly well-known, most states do not currently place maximum contamination limits (MCLs) on the substances in drinking water. Federal regulations on the two most well-studied PFAS chemicals (i.e., PFOA and PFOS) will be in place in 2027. New Jersey is slightly ahead of the curve, having set state-level regulations in 2020 (with monitoring beginning in 2021), although at a higher MCL than the pending federal guidelines. This means many New Jersey residents and workers will have been unknowingly consuming these chemicals for quite some time. 

Individuals who have suffered from health conditions associated with PFAS exposure may be eligible to file a lawsuit in New Jersey.

Timeline of Water Contamination and Regulations Affecting New Jersey | 2025 Update

July 2025: The EPA and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)have taken actions against a slaughter house that was contaminating a tributary in Monroeville, NJ. The EPA took action under the Clean Water Act to stop unlawful discharges from the Burlington Beef slaughterhouse. The plant was contaminating a tributary that supplied water to livestock and farm fields.

May 2025: The EPA announces that it will retain previously proposed regulatory guidelines on PFOS and PFOA, setting a federal MCL of 4 ppt (parts per trillion) for drinking water. States will be required to test for the chemicals beginning in 2027, with enforcement beginning in 2029. In the same month, 3M agreed to pay New Jersey up to $450 million in damages and cleanup fees for PFAS contamination at its Deepwater site. Saddle River in Bergen County advises residents to test private wells for PFAS after a councilman detects PFOS in his well.

January 2025: President Trump overturns proposed EPA regulations that would set federal limits on PFAS in drinking water. 

July 2024: A Rutgers study finds private well water systems in New Jersey may be malfunctioning, exposing residents to arsenic.

April 2024: The EPA proposes the first enforceable federal guidelines on PFAS in drinking water. 

July 2023: A water sample pulled from a private well in Warren County in the Skylands region detects combined PFAS contamination of 18,997 ppt (parts per trillion), prompting the EPA to investigate the nearby Musconetcong River. 

May 2023: ABC News analysis ranks New Jersey as having the second-highest rate of PFAS contamination in the nation when it comes to drinking water.

2020: New Jersey sets regulations on two PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, setting MCLs at 14 ppt and 13 ppt, respectively. Monitoring is set to begin in 2021.

2018: New Jersey becomes the first state to regulate PFNA, a PFAS chemical, setting an MCL of 13 ppt.

March 2016: Thirty public schools in Newark are ordered to use alternative water sources due to elevated levels of lead in their drinking water.

What Are the Sources of Drinking Water Contamination in New Jersey?

There are many potential vectors for water contamination in New Jersey. Industrial discharges from companies like 3M and DuPont can introduce PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other pollutants into the environment. Military bases and airports are also major sources of PFAS pollution through their use of AFFF. Runoff from landfills and agriculture can introduce organic and inorganic contaminants. Some pollutants, like arsenic and radionuclides, can even be naturally present in water sources.

New Jersey’s high population density presents some additional risks, with each instance of water contamination potentially affecting a large number of residents. Additionally, New Jersey’s housing and building stock, with an average age of over 50 years, is more susceptible to lead and copper contamination than most states.

Water Contamination From Military Installations

Current and former military sites are common sources of PFAS contamination, raising the risk of contamination to nearby and downstream communities in New Jersey. PFAS products used on these bases can contaminate soil, surface water, and drinking water supplies. Here are some of the current military sites in New Jersey.

Current military installations in New Jersey: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Picatinny Arsenal, US Army Cadet Command 2nd Brigade, USAREC Mid-Atlantic Battalion, 108 WG, 177 FW

Military sites that have recorded high levels of PFAS discharges include:

• Picatinny Arsenal (2018): 158.1 ppt total PFAS
• Naval Weapons Station Earle (2016-2017): 4,330 ppt combined PFOA and PFOS
• Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton (2018): 27,800 ppt combined PFOA and PFOS
• Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (2019): 264,000 ppt combined PFOA and PFOS
• Egg Harbor (2019): 87,250 ppt combined PFOA and PFOS

Water Contamination From Airports

Airports can also be a major source of PFAS contamination, and for the same reason as military bases: the historical use of AFFF. While it hasn’t been explicitly linked to local PFAS contamination, Newark Liberty International Airport may have contributed to elevated PFOA levels in Newark and Elizabeth, for example.

Water Contamination From Industrial Activities

Industrial activity can release all manner of contaminants into nearby water sources. These contaminants can include PFAS, as is the case with the Deepwater 3M facility. Heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, can also be discharged from industrial waste and runoff, along with solvents and petroleum byproducts. 

Water Contamination From Agriculture

The Garden State may be highly urbanized, but it is also home to a substantial amount of agricultural activity, especially relative to its small geographic footprint. Runoff from agriculture can introduce nitrates and pesticides into water sources, raising the risk of algae blooms and other kinds of biological contamination. 

Map of Water Contamination Sites in New Jersey

Water contamination is a problem throughout New Jersey thanks to military and industrial sites that have released toxic chemicals into nearby environments. PFAS (particularly PFOA) contamination is quite common in New Jersey, though in many cases, the amounts detected are around the EPA’s 4 ppt guidelines. Keep in mind that contamination levels can vary with the flow of water, with some areas seeing increases or reductions over time.

What Are Some of the Contaminants in New Jersey’s Drinking Water?

Drinking water is full of both naturally occurring and human-made chemicals. In sufficient quantities, they can overwhelm the human body’s ability to safely filter them out, leading to an elevated risk of disease and injury. 

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in New Jersey’s Drinking Water

Among the most recent and dire threats to New Jersey’s drinking water are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals with a wide range of applications, including fire suppression, non-stick coatings, and waterproofing. Their powerful carbon-fluorine bonds are difficult to break, making them resilient to decay. That makes them prone to accumulating in water, soil, sewage, and bodies.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to several health risks, including multiple types of cancer, liver disease, and thyroid dysfunction.

Lead in New Jersey’s Drinking Water

Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, made headlines over the last decade for its struggles with lead contamination due, in large part, to the breakdown of aging water lines. 

Lead is a heavy metal that can cause serious neurological problems and kidney damage. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to lead poisoning and can face serious developmental issues from exposure. 

Nitrates in New Jersey’s Drinking Water

Agricultural runoff can introduce nitrates into water sources. Direct exposure to large amounts of nitrates can, in some cases, cause “blue baby” syndrome in infants. Nitrates can load waterways up with nutrients preferred by algae and bacteria that can release harmful, biome-altering toxins.

How Do I Know If My Drinking Water is Contaminated?

If your home or workplace draws from a public water supply, it is relatively easy to find out if your drinking water is contaminated. Cities and boroughs in New Jersey regularly publish water quality reports that disclose contamination. 

If you draw from a private well, you will need to have your water tested to know for sure what contaminants might be present. Failing that, keep an eye out for any groundwater-related news in your area that could alert you to any potential dangers. 

The EWG website is a handy resource for water contamination alerts, including for bottled water brands. 

What are the Drinking Water Regulations in New Jersey?

New Jersey, like most states, is governed by federal drinking water regulations that limit the amount of contaminants that can legally be present in public sources. Federally regulated contaminants, and their MCLs, include:

In addition, New Jersey sets some state-level regulations that exceed current federal ones. These include:

• PFOA: 14 ppt
• PFOS: 13 ppt
• PFNA: 13 ppt

What Parts of New Jersey Have the Most Polluted Water?

While isolated hotspots exist throughout the state, often near military bases or industrial sites, some parts of New Jersey have more instances of contamination than others.  Some areas of concern include:

• New York metro counties, including: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union, and Monmouth
• Delaware River counties including: Warren, Mercer, Burlington, and Salem

What Actions Has New Jersey Taken To Address Water Quality Issues?

New Jersey is among the first states to regulate PFAS in drinking water, and the very first state to have set MCL limits on PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid). The state also now requires the testing of private wells for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA when properties are subject to sale or lease. While these standards have given the Garden State a head start in addressing PFAS contamination, they are substantially less stringent than EPA regulations set to begin in 2027. 

New Jersey received $168 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to upgrade its water infrastructure.

What Are the Health Risks of Drinking Contaminated Water In New Jersey?

Contaminated water carries the risk of serious diseases and health problems. The well-publicized case of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina showed the massive health impacts that drinking water pollution can have on the affected population. 

PFAS contamination, which has largely gone unregulated until very recently, represents a widespread failure to adequately protect drinking water and to inform residents of its risks. PFAS have been linked to:

Am I Eligible to File A Lawsuit if I Drank Contaminated Water In New Jersey?

To be eligible to file a water contamination lawsuit in New Jersey, you need to meet several criteria.

Exposure Criteria: Individuals must have lived or worked in a contaminated part of New Jersey for at least 1 year. If you were stationed at a military installation, the minimum amount of exposure is 6 months rather than a year. 

Qualifying Diagnosis: Our firm is evaluating cases with a diagnosis of:

Supporting Documentation: Demonstrating a qualifying diagnosis and linking it to exposure to contaminated water will require supporting documentation. These documents may include proof of residence, employment, or deployment, and medical records.

[alert_box]Eligibility criteria and conditions may change as the lawsuit progresses. Contact us to determine if you qualify to file a case.[/alert_box]

How Much Is a New Jersey Water Contamination Lawsuit Worth?

Depending on the illness someone experiences, a typical water contamination lawsuit settlement falls somewhere between $30,000 and $300,000, though smaller and larger payouts are possible. The amount received depends on the amount of exposure, the level of contamination, and the seriousness of the medical diagnosis. 

If I File a Lawsuit, Would I Receive a Settlement?

If you suffer from a qualifying injury and can prove you resided at a place with PFAS-contaminated water, you may be able to receive a settlement from the company who contaminated your water. You will work with your attorney and their team to compile compelling evidence to support your lawsuit.

How Can I File a Water Contamination Lawsuit in New Jersey?

Here are the recommended steps for filing a water contamination lawsuit in New Jersey.

Seek A Consultation: Lawsuits are complex, and polluters generally have the resources necessary to mount a strong defense. A consultation with an experienced lawyer can create a roadmap and timeline for your case.

Collect Evidence: Gather relevant documents and testimonies that establish the facts of your case.

File The Case: Formally submit the paperwork for your case within the statute of limitations. Your lawyer will help you draft the necessary documents.

Pre-Trial And Negotiations: Both sides of the case exchange evidence, conduct interviews, and may attempt to negotiate a settlement. 

Trial: If a settlement cannot be reached, the lawsuit will move to trial. Your payout, if any, will be determined by a judge or jury.

What Evidence Will I Need to File My Claim?

To fortify your New Jersey water contamination claim, you will need to provide strong evidence. Here are some categories and examples of evidence:

• Establishing Residence and Exposure: Rental agreements, mortgage agreements, utility bills, deployment documentation, pay stubs, invoices
• Establishing Injury: Medical records, medical bills, physician testimony, scientist testimony, personal testimonies
• Establishing Contamination: Water quality reports, environmental studies, research reports, expert testimonies

What is the Deadline to File a Claim Related to NJ’s Drinking Water?

Lawsuits must be filed within a window of time called the statute of limitations. New Jersey’s statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of injury. 

Does that mean you cannot file if it’s been longer than two years? Not necessarily. Extenuating circumstances may affect your filing window, such as when you discovered your illness might have been caused by PFAS in your drinking water. An attorney can help clarify whether an extension may apply to your case.

How Do I Hire a Lawyer to File My New Jersey Water Contamination Lawsuit?

If you lived or worked in an area of New Jersey with contaminated drinking water and suffered a related medical condition, you may be able to seek compensation. Pursuing your claim quickly within the statute of limitations is critical. Our legal team has experience holding corporate and government polluters accountable. We offer free, no-commitment consultations to individuals injured by PFAS chemicals. 

Were you stationed at a military base whose drinking water was contaminated by PFAS or other dangerous chemicals? You may be eligible for compensation related to your injuries. A diagnosis of cancer or another debilitating condition may entitle you to take legal action, but it is essential to act quickly. You may only have a limited amount of time to file a claim against the party or parties who caused you harm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)