Chatham Borough, New Jersey - Tap Water Quality Report
The Verdict
Chatham Borough, New Jersey earns a B+ or Good rating for its tap water quality.
The water shows solid performance across most categories, with lead and arsenic levels well within EPA limits at 14% and 10% respectively. The B+ rating indicates generally high-quality water with room for continued improvement.
Disclaimer: The Town Water Check grading system is our opinion, based on measured contaminant levels as well as the known effects on long-term human health. Others may reach a different conclusion. For the most current information, please consult your water provider or municipality.
The Good News
All biological and radiological contaminants are within EPA limits, indicating effective water treatment processes. This is an important baseline for public health protection.
Heavy Metals in Chatham's Tap Water
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that can accumulate in water systems through various pathways including aging infrastructure, natural geological deposits, and industrial activities. While these metals serve important functions in trace amounts, chronic exposure to elevated levels can pose health risks.
The five heavy metals of primary concern in drinking water are lead, arsenic, chromium, mercury, and cadmium. Each has distinct sources and health implications, making their monitoring essential for public health protection.
Chatham's tap water shows lead at 14% and arsenic at 10% of EPA limits, while chromium, mercury, and cadmium are not detected. These levels are within current regulatory standards and represent relatively low concentrations.
The presence of lead, even at these reduced levels, warrants attention due to its potential neurotoxic effects, particularly for children. The arsenic level of 10% also merits monitoring, as this naturally occurring element is classified as a carcinogen.
However, the ultimate goal for both lead and arsenic is zero.
PFAS – "Forever Chemicals"
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in numerous consumer products and industrial applications since the 1940s. Their molecular structure makes them highly resistant to degradation, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals."
PFAS compounds have been linked to various health concerns including immune system suppression, hormonal disruption, and increased cancer risk. Their persistence in the environment and bioaccumulative properties make them particularly concerning from a public health perspective.
Chatham demonstrates excellent PFAS performance with PFOA at just 1.0% of EPA limits and PFOS not detected. These levels are substantially below regulatory thresholds and represent one of the strongest aspects of Chatham's water quality profile. This excellent PFAS performance significantly contributes to the overall B+ rating.
Other Contaminants
Additional water quality parameters including chlorine (30%), radium (30%), nitrate (18%), copper (12%), total trihalomethanes (7.5%), nickel (4.4%), and barium (0.8%) are all within EPA limits. This comprehensive compliance across multiple contaminant categories demonstrates consistent water treatment effectiveness and contributes to Chatham's strong overall water quality rating.
How Our Grading System Works
Think of water quality like art restoration. Just as the original Mona Lisa represents perfection while a damaged version shows clear deterioration, water quality exists on a spectrum from pristine to compromised.
Our grading system evaluates tap water against EPA limits, with particular attention to contaminants that pose the greatest health concerns. A B+ rating indicates water that is generally high-quality with only minor issues detected.
Our methodology considers both the toxicity of individual contaminants and the cumulative effect of multiple contaminants. This comprehensive approach provides a more realistic assessment of overall water quality than evaluating single parameters in isolation.
The B+ grade for Chatham reflects strong performance across most categories, with particularly excellent PFAS levels and well-controlled heavy metals. While there's always room for improvement, this rating indicates water that meets high-quality standards for public health protection.
How Does Chatham Compare Locally?
The B+, Good rating is actually way above average for the local area. Nearby Orange, New Jersey with no detectable lead, arsenic or forever chemicals, was the only local municipality to rate excellent.
Chatham's water quality stands out positively when compared to surrounding communities including Livingston (F), Florham Park (C-), and various D-rated municipalities. This strong relative performance demonstrates effective local water management practices.
Filter Recommendations
Even though Chatham water quality is Good, you may still want to consider using a reverse osmosis (RO) type filter. Alternatively, some Carbon Block filters may also be effective.
Just ensure they are certified to remove your particular water contaminants. If you would like to find out more about these filters, please visit: www.townwatercheck.com/water-filter-selection
Note: The Consumer Confidence Report does not indicate active water fluoridation in Chatham.
Final Thoughts
We hope that our tap water information has proven helpful.
Notes:
- For the latest tap water information, check with your water provider or municipality.
- The influence of contaminants on health relates to chronic, long-term, not acute or immediate effects. We make no claims, positive or negative, regarding tap water safety.
- Sampled tap water data tends to be more conservative than the average glass of tap water, often citing the 9th worst of 10 samples.
- The information contained in this report may not reflect the views of our advisors.
- Please contact Town Water Check if you feel we have made an error.
- For purposes of consistency, we use EPA limits throughout this report, not state or local limits.
Town Water Check wishes you a healthy and informed life and a cleaner, more beautiful planet.