Cobalt Contamination

Cobalt in New Jersey Drinking Water

Ranked by max cobalt detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

104

Cities Tested

104

Detected

100%

% Detected

37.88 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

323

Health Violations

Analysis

Cobalt in New Jersey: what the data shows

New Jersey has 104 cities with cobalt data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Cobalt was detected in 104 of those cities. There is no federal MCL or health advisory for cobalt in drinking water; the state average max detected level is 37.88 µg/L. Cobalt enters drinking water primarily from natural weathering of cobalt-bearing rock and from industrial sources including battery manufacturing, mining, and metal alloys. Detection rates in UCMR 3 sampling were low (~3% nationally), suggesting cobalt is generally not a widespread tap-water concern. Cobalt is an essential nutrient (a component of vitamin B12) at trace levels, but elevated waterborne exposure has been linked to thyroid effects and cardiomyopathy in occupational studies. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing cobalt.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL or HA

New Jersey

100%

104 of 104 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

304 of 304 cities

City Map

Cobalt data across New Jersey

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 cobalt testing data. Detected cities are shown — there is no federal limit. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by cobalt level in New Jersey

Highest Cobalt levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All New Jersey cities ranked by cobalt level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Bordentown City-0303	1097.10 µg/L	Detected	14	B-
2	Bordentown Twp.-0304	1097.10 µg/L	Detected	14	B-
3	Fieldsboro Boro-0314	1097.10 µg/L	Detected	17	C
4	Franklin Twp.-1808	48.40 µg/L	Detected	16	D+
5	South Brunswick Twp.-1221	48.40 µg/L	Detected	1	B
6	Cherry Hill Twp.-0409	29.50 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
7	Merchantville Boro-0424	29.50 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
8	Pennsauken Twp.-0427	29.50 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
9	Camden City-0408	29.50 µg/L	Detected	25	F
10	East Windsor Twp.-1101	11.63 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
11	Hamilton Twp.-1103	9.80 µg/L	Detected	37	F
12	Absecon City-0101	8.10 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
13	Galloway Twp-0111	8.10 µg/L	Detected	9	C-
14	Linwood City-0114	8.10 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
15	Northfield City-0118	8.10 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
16	Pleasantville City-0119	8.10 µg/L	Detected	4	B-
17	Somers Point City-0121	8.10 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
18	Audubon Boro-0401	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
19	Audubon Park Boro-0402	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
20	Barrington Boro-0403	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
21	Beverly City-0302	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
22	Cinnaminson Twp.-0308	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
23	Clementon Boro-0411	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	C+
24	Delanco Twp.-0309	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
25	Delran Twp.-0310	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
26	Edgewater Park Twp.-0312	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
27	Gibbsboro Boro-0413	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
28	Gloucester Twp.-0415	7.20 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
29	Haddon Heights Boro-0418	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
30	Haddon Twp.-0416	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	C+
31	Haddonfield Boro-0417	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
32	Hi-Nella Boro-0419	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
33	Laurel Springs Boro-0420	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
34	Lawnside Boro-0421	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
35	Lindenwold Boro-0422	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
36	Magnolia Boro-0423	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
37	Mount Ephraim Boro-0425	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
38	Mount Laurel Twp.-0324	7.20 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
39	Oaklyn Boro-0426	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
40	Palmyra Boro-0327	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
41	Riverside Twp.-0330	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
42	Riverton Boro-0331	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
43	Runnemede Boro-0430	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
44	Somerdale Boro-0431	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
45	Stratford Boro-0432	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
46	Voorhees Twp.-0434	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B
47	Burlington Twp.-0306	7.20 µg/L	Detected	0	B-
48	Moorestown Twp.-0322	7.20 µg/L	Detected	5	F
49	Maple Shade Twp.-0319	7.20 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
50	Bellmawr Boro-0404	7.20 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
51	Monroe Twp.-1213	6.40 µg/L	Detected	6	F
52	Millville City-0610	6.36 µg/L	Detected	3	F
53	Willingboro Twp.-0338	4.43 µg/L	Detected	1	B
54	Vineland City-0614	4.20 µg/L	Detected	70	F
55	Bridgeton City-0601	3.06 µg/L	Detected	55	D
56	Toms River-1507	2.50 µg/L	Detected	13	B
57	Berkeley Twp.-1505	2.50 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
58	Phillipsburg Town-2119	2.40 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
59	Barnegat Twp.-1533	2.40 µg/L	Detected	5	C+
60	Little Falls Twp.-1605	2.30 µg/L	Detected	12	B
61	Hillside Twp.-2007	2.30 µg/L	Detected	32	C
62	Irvington Town-0709	2.30 µg/L	Detected	32	C
63	Bedminster Twp.-1801	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
64	Belvidere Town-2103	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
65	Berkeley Heights Twp.-2001	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
66	Bernards Twp.-1802	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
67	Bernardsville Boro-1803	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
68	Chatham Boro-1404	2.30 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
69	Chester Twp.-1407	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
70	Far Hills Boro-1807	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
71	Franklin Twp.-2105	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
72	Frenchtown Boro-1011	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
73	Harding Twp.-1413	2.30 µg/L	Detected	2	F
74	Maplewood Twp.-0711	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
75	Mendham Boro-1418	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
76	Mendham Twp.-1419	2.30 µg/L	Detected	2	D+
77	Millburn Twp.-0712	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
78	Mount Olive Twp.-1427	2.30 µg/L	Detected	42	F
79	New Providence Boro-2011	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
80	Oxford Twp.-2117	2.30 µg/L	Detected	12	F
81	Springfield Twp.-2017	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
82	Summit City-2018	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
83	Union Twp-.2019	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
84	Warren Twp.-1820	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
85	Livingston Twp.-0710	2.30 µg/L	Detected	10	C
86	South Orange Village-0719	2.30 µg/L	Detected	1	B
87	Florham Park Boro-1411	2.30 µg/L	Detected	0	C-
88	North Caldwell Boro-0715	2.30 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
89	Monroe Twp.-0811	2.12 µg/L	Detected	9	C
90	Winslow Twp.-0436	2.07 µg/L	Detected	37	F
91	Washington Twp.-0818	1.90 µg/L	Detected	0	F
92	Perth Amboy City--1216	1.80 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
93	Hamilton Twp-0112	1.71 µg/L	Detected	4	C+
94	Weymouth Twp-.0123	1.71 µg/L	Detected	4	C
95	Manchester Twp.-1518	1.70 µg/L	Detected	23	F
96	Point Pleasant Boro-1524	1.63 µg/L	Detected	2	C-
97	Atlantic City-0102	1.60 µg/L	Detected	4	B
98	Collingswood Boro-0412	1.40 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
99	East Hanover Twp.-1410	1.40 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
100	Hammonton Town-0113	1.32 µg/L	Detected	38	C+
101	Fair Lawn Boro-0217	1.24 µg/L	Detected	8	F
102	Lacey Twp.-1512	1.20 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
103	Glassboro Boro-0806	1.19 µg/L	Detected	16	C
104	Lakewood Twp.-1514	1.10 µg/L	Detected	3	B-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about cobalt in New Jersey

Is cobalt in New Jersey tap water dangerous?

There is no federal MCL or health advisory for cobalt in drinking water. 104 cities in New Jersey had detectable cobalt in UCMR 3 testing. Cobalt is an essential trace nutrient at very low levels but has been linked to thyroid and cardiac effects at much higher chronic exposures.

How can I remove cobalt from my water?

Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing cobalt. Ion exchange systems (water softeners) also work. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against cobalt. Most household water has cobalt below detection, so testing is generally only warranted near mining or battery-industry sites.

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