Tap Water Results

Is Mount Olive, NJ tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

New Jersey American Water – Short Hills, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

14 public water systems serve parts of Mount Olive. The largest, New Jersey American Water – Short Hills, serves 217,230 people, and 4 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

New Jersey American Water – Short Hills

217,230 people · Surface water · EPA ID NJ0712001

Buys treated water from Passaic Valley Water Commission, New Jersey American Water – Raritan, Montclair Water Bureau, Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, East Hanover Township Water Dept.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
6.53 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
One sample above limit
2.48 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
1.8 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 67% of the New Jersey systems EPA tested.

Lead: 3 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full New Jersey American Water – Short Hills results

Across New Jersey, 110 of 245 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 4 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. New Jersey results.

Mount Olive homes and lead pipes

54%
of homes built before 1980 (New Jersey 63%, US 50%)
10%
built before 1950 (New Jersey 24%)
39%
of households rent (New Jersey 36%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Mount Olive township (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Mount Olive

7 more systems
  • Mount Olive Township W D Sand Water System
    744 people · Groundwater · New Jersey · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 5 health-based violations since 2016
  • Mt Olive Township Water District Pinecrest
    648 people · Groundwater · New Jersey · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 5 health-based violations since 2016
  • Mt Olive Township Tinc Farm Water System
    597 people · Groundwater · New Jersey · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 5 health-based violations since 2016
  • Mount Olive Water District Goldmine System
    267 people · Purchased groundwater · New Jersey · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Mt Olive Carlton Hills Water System
    267 people · Groundwater · New Jersey · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • NJ Vasa Home Water System
    125 people · Groundwater · New Jersey · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Mount Olive Lynwood Water System
    57 people · Purchased groundwater · New Jersey · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Randolph 9 mi
Randolph Township Public Works Dept
Randolph Township Public Works DeptNone above limits3.35 ppb
Rockaway 14 mi
Rockaway Township Water Dept
Rockaway Township Water DeptAbove limit2.57 ppb
Bernards 16 mi
New Jersey American Water – Short Hills
New Jersey American Water – Short HillsAbove limit3 ppb
Parsippany-Troy Hills 17 mi
Parsippany-Troy Hills Water Department
Parsippany-Troy Hills Water DepartmentAbove limit4.2 ppb
Livingston 22 mi
New Jersey American Water – Short Hills
New Jersey American Water – Short HillsAbove limit3 ppb
Raritan 23 mi
New Jersey American Water – Raritan
New Jersey American Water – RaritanAbove limit1 ppb
Mount Olive ZIP codes (2)
  • 07828
  • 07836

Questions

Is Mount Olive tap water safe to drink?

New Jersey American Water – Short Hills has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Mount Olive, NJ?

14 public water systems serve parts of Mount Olive. The largest is New Jersey American Water – Short Hills (217,230 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Mount Olive tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA at New Jersey American Water – Short Hills. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Mount Olive homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 54% of Mount Olive homes as built before 1980 (New Jersey: 63%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. New Jersey American Water – Short Hills's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.