Somerset County, New Jersey: drinking water report. Somerset County covers central New Jersey communities including Bridgewater, Somerville, Franklin…
Somerset County covers central New Jersey communities including Bridgewater, Somerville, Franklin Township, Hillsborough, and Bound Brook. Water supplies come from a mix of sources: some municipalities draw from the Raritan River system and Delaware and Raritan Canal, while others rely on the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and private wells in rural areas. The county sits in a region where aging infrastructure meets suburban growth, creating distinct water quality challenges across its 21 municipalities.
Somerset County water systems face the same PFAS concerns affecting most of New Jersey. The state began mandatory PFAS testing under stricter standards than federal EPA rules, and multiple water utilities across New Jersey have detected PFOA and PFOS at levels requiring treatment or well closures. Somerset County's position near former industrial sites and military installations (including the now-closed Camp Kilmer area) places it in a zone where groundwater contamination historically occurs. Systems drawing from the Raritan River basin must contend with upstream contamination that flows through the watershed, while well-dependent areas face localized groundwater issues.
Lead remains a concern in older Somerset County communities, particularly in Somerville Borough and Bound Brook, where housing stock predates the 1986 lead solder ban. The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule requires testing at high-risk homes, but this captures only a small sample. Homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines connecting to the street, lead solder in copper pipes, or brass fixtures that leach lead into drinking water. Corrosion control treatment helps, but it doesn't eliminate risk entirely when lead components exist in the plumbing system. Water sitting in pipes overnight can accumulate higher lead concentrations.
Nitrate contamination affects some Somerset County wells, particularly in agricultural areas of Hillsborough and western portions of the county. Fertilizer runoff and septic systems contribute nitrogen compounds that leach into groundwater. While public water systems test regularly, private well owners bear responsibility for their own testing. The state's drinking water quality standards cover dozens of contaminants, but enforcement applies only to regulated public systems serving 25 or more people. Residents on private wells in Somerset County should test annually for bacteria, nitrates, and every few years for metals and volatile organic compounds.
Start by identifying your water source and reviewing available test results from your municipal utility. For homes built before 1986, consider testing for lead, especially if young children live in the household. Flushing pipes before using water for drinking or cooking reduces lead exposure, and certified filters provide additional protection. Check your water for current contamination data in your area, review our water filter guide for treatment options matched to specific contaminants, or access a detailed report showing testing results and health risks. For broader context on New Jersey's water challenges, visit the state page.