Highland Lakes, New Jersey Tap Water Quality Report
Serving utility: United Water NJ
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS
High Priority Concerns
Highland Lakes tap water has 20 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). Additionally, 18 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA5).
Water Provider Information
Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EWG Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 2.68 ppt | 0.00 ppt | 10 ppt | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen | 23.60 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 34.60 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen | 17.90 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 60 ppb | Above guideline |
| Bromodichloromethane carcinogen | 9.36 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) carcinogen | 10.90 ppt | 0.09 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | 0.48 ppt | 0.01 ppt | 10 ppt | Above guideline |
| Arsenic carcinogen | 0.24 ppb | 0.00 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Dichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 10.30 ppb | 0.20 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Trichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 5.15 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chloroform carcinogen | 20.10 ppb | 0.40 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dibromochloromethane carcinogen | 4.76 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 1.32 ppb | 0.03 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) carcinogen | 6.21 ppt | 0.30 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| Bromate carcinogen | 1.41 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen | 0.15 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) | 0.01 ppt | 0.01 ppt | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Nitrate carcinogen | 0.33 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Nitrate and nitrite carcinogen | 0.33 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) | 0.01 ppt | 0.06 ppt | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane carcinogen | 0.01 ppb | 0.35 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Barium | 68.50 ppb | 700 ppb | 2,000 ppb | Below guideline |
| Bromide | 50.70 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Bromoform carcinogen | 0.36 ppb | 0.50 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Chlorate | 175.80 ppb | 210 ppb | No legal limit | Near guideline |
| Chromium (total) | 1.68 ppb | N/A | 100 ppb | Below guideline |
| Manganese | 1.33 ppb | 100 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid | 1.21 ppb | 25 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Nitrite carcinogen | 0.00 ppm | N/A | 1 ppm | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | 1.90 ppt | 2,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | 3.31 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | 5.77 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | 2.31 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Strontium | 0.15 ppb | 1,500 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Toluene | 1.20 ppb | 150 ppb | 1,000 ppb | Below guideline |
| Vanadium | 0.21 ppb | 21 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
Health Context
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Bromodichloromethane carcinogen
Bromodichloromethane is a trihalomethane (THM) disinfection byproduct that damages liver and kidneys with chronic exposure. EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen based on animal carcinogenicity data.
Recommended Filtration for This Water
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Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Highland Lakes tap water safe to drink?
Highland Lakes tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 20 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 18 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.
What contaminants are in Highland Lakes water?
A total of 36 contaminants were detected in Highland Lakes tap water, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9). Of these, 20 exceed EWG health guidelines.
What's the best water filter for Highland Lakes?
For Highland Lakes tap water, we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system for drinking water — it removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts. For shower and bath water, a whole-home filtration system reduces chlorine and volatile organics.
Where does Highland Lakes get its water?
Highland Lakes tap water is provided by United Water NJ, serving approximately 792,713 people. For detailed source water information, contact your local utility or visit the EPA's SDWIS database.
Nearby City Water Reports
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: March 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
