How New Jersey tamped down PFAS in drinking water

New Jersey implemented its own drinking water standards for PFAS in 2018, becoming the first state to do so, and saw a 55% reduction in average PFAS concentrations in public water systems. The study by Rutgers University researchers evaluated state-level policy impact, showing that regulatory action led to measurable public health improvements. Despite progress, long-term health risks from past exposure remain uncertain, and private well systems were not included in the analysis.

You get rare empirical evidence that environmental regulation can rapidly improve public health metrics, plus insight into how policy and science can interact at the state level.

1. 01New Jersey's 2018 PFAS drinking water regulations led to a 55% drop in average PFAS levels in public water systems.
2. 02Water utilities reduced PFAS through actions like shutting down contaminated wells and using granulated activated carbon filtration.
3. 03Long-term health effects of past PFAS exposure are still unclear, and private wells—used by about 1 in 10 residents—were not covered in the study.