Morris County, New Jersey: drinking water report. Morris County in north-central New Jersey has about 509,000 residents.
Morris County in north-central New Jersey has about 509,000 residents. The county draws water from a mix of reservoirs (Boonton, Splitrock, Jersey City system) and groundwater wells. New Jersey American Water and Southeast Morris County MUA serve the largest populations. The county's mix of suburban development, former industrial sites, and protected watershed lands creates a complex water quality picture.
The Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. Army research and manufacturing facility in the northern part of the county, has been a Superfund site since 1983. According to the Army's 2024 environmental status report, groundwater contamination from explosives residues, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds extends beyond the facility boundary. PFAS from firefighting foam adds to the contamination profile – monitoring wells near the base showed PFOS at 45 ppt in 2024 testing.
New Jersey's stringent PFAS MCLs (13-14 ppt) have pushed several Morris County water systems to install granular activated carbon treatment. The NJDEP's 2024 compliance report shows that two systems in the county exceeded PFNA limits before treatment upgrades were completed.
Morris County benefits from New Jersey's aggressive PFAS regulation, which forces utilities to act at lower thresholds than federal rules require. Communities near Picatinny Arsenal should pay particular attention to groundwater quality if they rely on private wells.
Start by checking your water for results specific to your address. For private well users near military or industrial sites, a comprehensive test panel is worth the investment. Our water filter guide covers options for the contaminant mix common near military installations. Get your detailed report for trends, and see our New Jersey page for statewide data.