Middlesex County tap water: hardness, PFAS and lead
Middlesex County, New Jersey has about 890,119 residents (Census 2024 estimate) and 16 community water systems in EPA records. The largest local system is Middlesex Water Company, serving about 233,376 people from surface water.
! 3 of 6 largest systems with health-based violationsPFAS detected at 6 of 6 sampled systemsHardness 9.2 gpg (high confidence)
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
How hard is Middlesex County water?
Middlesex Water CompanyMeasured (utility report, 2025) · High confidence
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
Softener size at 9.2 gpg
For a 3-person home using 57 gallons per person per day and regenerating weekly, you'd remove about 11,012 grains between regenerations. Suggested size: 24,000 grain.
Estimate only. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
The 6 biggest of 16 community water systems on EPA records for this county. Service areas don't follow county lines; your water bill names your provider.
Middlesex Water Company
NJ1225001 · serves about 233,376 people · Surface water
✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (4 types)
Lead 90th percentile: 0.8 ppb (period starting 2026-01-01). Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
PFBA: highest sample 7.3 ppt (1 of 10 samples); no federal limit
PFOA: highest sample 6.5 ppt (3 of 10 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFPeA: highest sample 5.4 ppt (5 of 10 samples); no federal limit
PFHxA: highest sample 4.4 ppt (2 of 10 samples); no federal limit
NJ1216001 · serves about 52,328 people · Surface water
! 3 health-based violations✓ Lead below detectionPFAS detected (7 types)
Lead 90th percentile: <DL (below the lab detection/reporting limit; reported as 0) (period starting 2026-01-01). Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
PFOA: highest sample 19 ppt (4 of 4 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
HFPO-DA: highest sample 14 ppt (4 of 4 samples); federal limit 10.0 ppt as a running annual average, also counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit (currently in effect; EPA has proposed removing it)
PFPeA: highest sample 5.3 ppt (4 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFBA: highest sample 5.1 ppt (2 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFOS: highest sample 4.9 ppt (3 of 4 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFHxA: highest sample 4.4 ppt (4 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFHpA: highest sample 3.4 ppt (2 of 4 samples); no federal limit
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
A PFAS detection is not a violation. Federal limits (4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS) apply to running annual averages, with compliance required by 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed extending the PFOA/PFOS deadline to 2031 and removing other PFAS limits; not final as of 2026-10-21.
Test your own tap
These are public records for whole systems. Your home's pipes, fixtures and any private well can change what you drink. A certified lab test or a hardness test strip gives you your own numbers. Then use our PFAS and lead filter selector to see which certifications to look for.
Common questions about Middlesex County water
Is tap water in Middlesex County safe to drink?
3 of the 6 largest systems here have at least one health-based violation in EPA records since October 2021 (see each system below for status). Middlesex Water Company's most recent lead 90th percentile was 0.8 ppb (2026), below the 15 ppb action level. Public records can't guarantee what comes out of your tap, especially with older plumbing, so a home test is the surest check.
How hard is the water in Middlesex County?
Middlesex Water Company reports about 9.2 grains per gallon (157 mg/L), which is hard. For a 3-person home at 9.2 gpg, our softener calculator suggests a 24,000 grain unit as a starting point.
Is there PFAS in Middlesex County water?
6 of the 6 sampled systems listed here detected at least one PFAS in EPA's UCMR 5 testing, and 9 results were above the level of a federal limit in at least one sample. A detection isn't a violation: federal PFAS limits apply to running annual averages starting in 2029.
Which water system serves my address in Middlesex County?
Most homes are served by Middlesex Water Company or one of the other systems listed on this page, but service areas don't follow county lines. Your water bill names your provider, and its annual Consumer Confidence Report has the full test results.
Data as of October 21, 2026. Figures are copied from public records and combined with our own calculations; they can be out of date or wrong. Tapped Out isn't affiliated with any utility or the EPA. Written and reviewed by the Tapped Out team. How we calculate · All sources.