Millburn-Short Hills, NJ
Tap Water Quality Report
Millburn-Short Hills' water is subpar, largely due to high levels of forever chemicals, significantly above EPA future limits.
Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or health advice. Consult your healthcare provider or local water authority for specific concerns.
✓The Good News
The good news about Millburn-Short Hills' tap water is that all biological contaminants (E. coli, coliforms, etc.), radiological contaminants (Gross Alpha & Beta particles, etc.), pesticides and disinfecting byproducts are within EPA limits.
Millburn-Short Hills receives its water from a combination of 25 wells, 4 surface water intakes (including the Passaic River and Canoe Brook), and purchased water supplies, providing multiple sources for the community's water needs.
Picturesque Taylor Park
Heavy Metals
What Are Heavy Metals?
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and density. While some heavy metals are essential nutrients in small amounts (like iron and zinc), others can be toxic even at low concentrations. Common heavy metals found in drinking water include lead, arsenic, chromium, mercury, and cadmium.
These contaminants can enter water supplies through natural deposits, industrial discharge, or aging infrastructure like old pipes. Long-term exposure to elevated levels of heavy metals can cause serious health problems.
Millburn-Short Hills' Heavy Metals Analysis
So in Millburn-Short Hills, the good news is that neither Mercury nor Cadmium were detected. Less inspiring, but not catastrophic, were relatively low levels of Lead, Arsenic, and Chromium at 10%, 20%, and 1.0% of the EPA maximum respectively, but all within EPA limits. However, the ultimate goal for lead and arsenic is zero.
PFAS (Forever Chemicals)
What Are PFAS?
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used since the 1940s in various industrial applications and consumer products. They're called "forever chemicals" because the carbon-fluorine chemical bond is one of the strongest in nature, making them extremely resistant to breaking down in the environment or in the human body.
Common sources include non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foam. These chemicals can accumulate in the body over time and have been linked to various health concerns.
Millburn-Short Hills' PFAS Analysis
Millburn-Short Hills significantly exceeded EPA future limits for PFAS, specifically PFOA at 225% and PFOS at 250%. This was a key contributing factor to the D- grade. While these limits are not yet legally enforceable, Town Water Check uses them for consistency and to provide the most current health-based information.
Other Contaminants
Aside from the contaminants already discussed, Millburn-Short Hills' tap water showed no other significant issues, with all other tested contaminants within EPA limits.
Understanding Our Grading System
Just as an art expert might assess the quality and condition of the Mona Lisa compared to a defaced or damaged version, Town Water Check evaluates your tap water against EPA health standards and best practices.
The more toxic the contaminant, in greater quantity, the lower the grade. Multiple contaminants further affect the grade. For instance, water containing both lead and arsenic would result in a worse grade than having either, individually.
Regional Comparison
The D-, Subpar rating is actually below 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.
Water Filter Recommendations
Recommended Filter Type
Given the levels of PFAS and heavy metals in Millburn-Short Hills tap water, we recommend using a reverse osmosis (RO) type filter with a NSF/ANSI 58 standard.
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 Millburn-Short Hills.
Community Highlights
Taylor Park Community Sculpture
Taylor Park Community Center
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.