PFAS in New Jersey Drinking Water
New Jersey was one of the first states to set its own enforceable PFAS drinking-water standards. Here's how state and federal numbers relate.
Short answer: New Jersey has state drinking-water MCLs for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA, each around 13–14 ng/L (parts per trillion). Federal PFAS standards and implementation schedules may set different numbers or timelines — always check which standard a reported number is measured against, and verify current values with NJDEP before relying on this page.
New Jersey context
As of the last review, New Jersey's state MCLs were PFOA at 14 ng/L, PFOS at 13 ng/L, and PFNA at 13 ng/L. Federal PFAS regulation has moved on its own timeline and may set different limits or compliance dates for public systems. A single reported PFAS number could be a New Jersey MCL, a federal MCL, a health advisory, or simply a laboratory reporting limit — these are not interchangeable, and every PFAS discussion should specify which one is being used.
| What the number is | What it means |
|---|---|
| NJ state MCL | Enforceable limit under New Jersey drinking-water rules for public systems. |
| Federal MCL | Enforceable limit under EPA drinking-water rules; timelines and values can differ from state rules. |
| Health advisory | A non-enforceable guidance level, not a compliance requirement. |
| Reporting limit | The lowest level a lab can reliably detect — not a health-based standard. |
Units matter
PFAS results are often reported in ng/L (nanograms per liter) or ppt (parts per trillion) — these are equivalent for PFAS in water, but always confirm the unit used in your specific report rather than assuming.
Public systems vs. private wells
Public water systems must monitor and report PFAS under applicable state and federal rules. Private wells are not covered by these public-system rules at all — if you're on a well and want to know your PFAS levels, you need to test through a certified laboratory yourself. See Private Wells.
Common mistakes
- Citing a number without saying whether it's a state MCL, federal MCL, or advisory level
- Assuming a "removes PFAS" treatment claim applies to every PFAS compound
- Assuming private wells are automatically covered by public-system PFAS monitoring
Official sources
- NJDEP PFAS program and Drinking Water Quality Institute
- U.S. EPA PFAS drinking water regulation
Related
Are New Jersey's PFAS standards the same as federal standards?
Not necessarily. New Jersey set its own state MCLs for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA. Federal standards and compliance schedules can differ in value and timing — check both and confirm current numbers with NJDEP.
This page provides general educational information and is not medical or regulatory advice. PFAS standards and compliance dates change — verify current values with NJDEP before relying on this content.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-11. Report a correction.