WaterVerge

Is Pine Beach Boro-1522, NJ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: NJ1522001
Overall Score
91.7 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#8 of 435 in New Jersey Top 10% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.7/100
waterverge.com
A 91.7/100

Pine Beach Boro-1522, NJ — Water Quality Report

Pine Beach Boro-1522's drinking water received a grade of A (91.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,130 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Pine Beach Boro-1522's water

Pine Beach Boro-1522 ranks #8 out of 435 cities in New Jersey for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Pine Beach Boro-1522 relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Pine Beach Boro-1522 may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.7 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17.5/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Pine Beach Boro-1522, NJ water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Pine Beach Boro-1522's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.7/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,130 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Pine Beach Boro-1522

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pine Beach Boro-1522's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.7/100).

Disaster
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4614). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3573). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Pine Beach Boro-1522's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Pine Beach Boro-1522's water system has 6 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Dec 2018 Lead and Copper Rule Open
May 2015 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Dec 2009 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 1996 Nitrate Resolved
Jul 1980 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Ocean County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1992. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include South Branch Metedeconk River Near Lakewood, Toms River Near Toms River, Cedar Creek At Western Blvd Near Lanoka Harbor.

REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4614
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3573
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-4086

Where does Pine Beach Boro-1522's water come from?

Pine Beach Boro-1522's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,130 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include South Branch Metedeconk River Near Lakewood (river), Toms River Near Toms River (river), Cedar Creek At Western Blvd Near Lanoka Harbor (river).

What Pine Beach Boro-1522 residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Pine Beach Boro-1522's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
0.6 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 1% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 0.8 µg/LHAA9: 1.0 µg/L
Manganese
Inorganic
Detected
13.9 µg/L
EPA Secondary MCL: 50 µg/L · 28% of limit
DetectedUCMR 4 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

6
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Dec 2018
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

6 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
4 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Nitrate Rule
1
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
1
Dec 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
May 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2015
Dec 2009 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2009
Jan 1996 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Jul 1980 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1984
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Ocean County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

2
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
8.9%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
2
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Sep 2021
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Ocean County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1992. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2021
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA #4614
Sep 2021
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA #3573
Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #4086
Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3354
Aug 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #4021
Aug 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #3332

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 5.0 ppb from 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Pine Beach Boro-1522 compares by contaminant

Explore where Pine Beach Boro-1522 ranks among all New Jersey cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,130
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Pine Beach Boro-1522's water comes from

Groundwater

Pine Beach Boro-1522's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,130 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Pine Beach Boro-1522

Pine Beach Boro-1522 is located near 3 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

South Branch Metedeconk River Near Lakewood
river
Toms River Near Toms River
river
Cedar Creek At Western Blvd Near Lanoka Harbor
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Pine Beach Boro-1522

System Name PWSID Population Source
PINE BEACH WATER DEPT NJ1522001 2,130 GW
Regional Comparison

How Pine Beach Boro-1522 compares

Full New Jersey rankings →

Pine Beach Boro-1522's score of 91.7/100 is above the average of 63/100 among major New Jersey cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Pine Beach Boro-1522 (this city)
91.7
New Jersey avg
63
City Profile

About Pine Beach Boro-1522, NJ

Wikipedia →

Pine Beach is a borough in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 2,139, its highest ever decennial count and an increase of 12 (+0.6%) from the 2010 census count of 2,127, which in turn reflected an increase of 177 (+9.1%) from the 1,950 counted in the 2000 census.

Economic Profile
$116,518
Median Income
$369,022
Median Home Value
$1,156/mo
Median Rent
3.2%
Unemployment
Community
52.5
Median Age
1,458
People / sq mi
47.5%
College Educated
95.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Pine Beach Boro-1522, NJ tap water safe to drink?

Pine Beach Boro-1522's water quality earned a grade of A (91.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #8 out of 435 cities tested in New Jersey.

What contaminants are in Pine Beach Boro-1522's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 6 violations are on record.

How is Pine Beach Boro-1522's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Pine Beach Boro-1522?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Pine Beach Boro-1522's water come from?

Pine Beach Boro-1522's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,130 residents.

Is Pine Beach Boro-1522's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Pine Beach Boro-1522 uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 6 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Pine Beach Boro-1522's water compare to other cities?

Pine Beach Boro-1522 ranks #8 out of 435 cities in New Jersey (better than 98% of state cities) and #1533 out of 15744 cities nationally (90th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Pine Beach Boro-1522's small water system affect quality?

Pine Beach Boro-1522's system serves approximately 2,130 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 6 violations on record.