Is Toms River tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Toms River's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns including PFAS detected. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

67/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
2.5 GPG
Hardness
Detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Toms River

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Detected

PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down and accumulate in the body.

PFAS details for Toms River

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Toms River

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Toms River
New Jersey

87,530,875,408,755 · Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer groundwater

Toms River, NJ Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 95,438 residents
See Best Filters for Toms River
67
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
3.5 ppt
Lead
4 ppb
Nitrate
0.5 mg/L
Arsenic
0.2 mg/L
Hardness
2.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    PFAS have been identified in Toms River's water at 3.5 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Toms River's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

67 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Toms River tap water is sourced from Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer groundwater and treated by New Jersey American Water Toms River. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Overall purity score: 67/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Toms River's 3 issues.

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Explore Toms River Water Data

PFAS in Toms RiverForever chemicals
Lead in Toms RiverLead risk
Toms River Hard WaterHardness data
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Toms River Water FAQ

Is Toms River NJ tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Toms River tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 67/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 3.5 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Toms River NJ use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Toms River uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.5 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Toms River NJ water and what is the TDS level?
Toms River water hardness is 2.5 grains per gallon (soft) with a TDS of 110 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Toms River NJ drinking water?
Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Toms River water at approximately 3.5 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.
What is the best water filter for Toms River?
Based on Toms River's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Toms River: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

NewarkNew Jersey — 63/100Jersey CityNew Jersey — 69/100CamdenNew Jersey — 71/100PatersonNew Jersey — 77/100TrentonNew Jersey — 77/100ElizabethNew Jersey — 82/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • New Jersey American Water Toms River CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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