Lithium Contamination

Lithium in New Jersey Drinking Water

Ranked by max lithium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 5 data (2023–2025) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

147

Cities Tested

147

Detected

100%

% Detected

18.5 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

323

Health Violations

Analysis

Lithium in New Jersey: what the data shows

New Jersey has 147 cities with lithium data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). Lithium was detected in 147 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL or health advisory for lithium — the state average max detected level is 18.5 µg/L. Nationally, lithium is detected in roughly 28% of sampled water systems. Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in arid western states, and is concentrated in some surface waters near industrial discharge or geothermal sources. UCMR 5 added lithium monitoring in 2023, providing the first systematic national snapshot of public-water lithium levels. At therapeutic doses (administered as a medication), lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Chronic low-dose exposure from drinking water has been associated in some studies with effects on thyroid function and possibly mood. The most protective state guidance value is around 60 µg/L. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are effective removal methods.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL or HA

New Jersey

100%

147 of 147 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

2776 of 2776 cities

City Map

Lithium data across New Jersey

Each dot is a city with UCMR 5 lithium testing data. Detected cities are shown — there is no federal limit, though some states use 60 µg/L as a screening level. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lithium level in New Jersey

Highest Lithium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All New Jersey cities ranked by lithium level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Flemington Boro-1009	60.1 µg/L	Detected	66	F
2	Elizabeth City- 2004	36.1 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
3	Monroe Twp.-1213	36.1 µg/L	Detected	6	F
4	Mahwah Twp-0233	33.1 µg/L	Detected	2	C-
5	Mannington Twp.-1705	33.1 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
6	Pilesgrove Twp.-1709	33.1 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
7	Woodstown Boro-1715	33.1 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
8	Carney'S Point Twp.-1713	33.0 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
9	Oldmans Twp.-1706	33.0 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
10	Penns Grove Boro- 1707	33.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
11	Camden City-0408	30.1 µg/L	Detected	25	F
12	Willingboro Twp.-0338	29.9 µg/L	Detected	1	B
13	Moorestown Twp.-0322	29.2 µg/L	Detected	5	F
14	Little Falls Twp.-1605	28.2 µg/L	Detected	12	B
15	Hillside Twp.-2007	28.2 µg/L	Detected	32	C
16	Irvington Town-0709	28.2 µg/L	Detected	32	C
17	Bedminster Twp.-1801	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
18	Belvidere Town-2103	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
19	Berkeley Heights Twp.-2001	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
20	Bernards Twp.-1802	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
21	Bernardsville Boro-1803	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
22	Chatham Boro-1404	28.2 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
23	Chester Twp.-1407	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
24	Far Hills Boro-1807	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
25	Franklin Twp.-2105	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
26	Frenchtown Boro-1011	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
27	Harding Twp.-1413	28.2 µg/L	Detected	2	F
28	Maplewood Twp.-0711	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
29	Mendham Boro-1418	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
30	Mendham Twp.-1419	28.2 µg/L	Detected	2	D+
31	Millburn Twp.-0712	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
32	Mount Olive Twp.-1427	28.2 µg/L	Detected	42	F
33	New Providence Boro-2011	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
34	Oxford Twp.-2117	28.2 µg/L	Detected	12	F
35	Springfield Twp.-2017	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
36	Summit City-2018	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
37	Union Twp-.2019	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
38	Warren Twp.-1820	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
39	Livingston Twp.-0710	28.2 µg/L	Detected	10	C
40	South Orange Village-0719	28.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B
41	Florham Park Boro-1411	28.2 µg/L	Detected	0	C-
42	North Caldwell Boro-0715	28.2 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
43	Hamilton Twp.-1103	27.5 µg/L	Detected	37	F
44	Cherry Hill Twp.-0409	25.6 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
45	Merchantville Boro-0424	25.6 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
46	Pennsauken Twp.-0427	25.6 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
47	East Windsor Twp.-1101	25.1 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
48	Hightstown Boro-1104	24.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A
49	Mount Laurel Twp.-0324	22.9 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
50	Greenwich Twp.-0807	22.9 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
51	Collingswood Boro-0412	22.1 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
52	Old Bridge Twp.-1209	21.2 µg/L	Detected	14	C+
53	Hillsdale Boro-0227	21.1 µg/L	Detected	4	D
54	Montvale Boro-0236	21.1 µg/L	Detected	4	D
55	Woodcliff Lake Boro-0268	21.1 µg/L	Detected	4	D
56	Park Ridge Boro-0247	21.1 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
57	Saddle River Boro-0258	21.1 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
58	Maple Shade Twp.-0319	20.0 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
59	Paulsboro Boro-0814	19.7 µg/L	Detected	6	B+
60	Clinton Town -1005	19.3 µg/L	Detected	2	D
61	Washington Boro-2121	18.7 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
62	Maurice River Twp.-0609	18.2 µg/L	Detected	3	B+
63	Lower Twp.-0505	17.7 µg/L	Detected	1	C+
64	Logan Twp.-0809	17.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
65	Woolwich Twp.-0824	17.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
66	Jefferson Twp.-1414	17.1 µg/L	Detected	36	F
67	Freehold Twp.-1316	17.0 µg/L	Detected	8	D+
68	Colts Neck Twp.-1309	17.0 µg/L	Detected	17	D+
69	Freehold Boro-1315	15.3 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
70	Florence Twp.-0315	15.1 µg/L	Detected	1	B
71	South River Boro-1223	15.1 µg/L	Detected	7	F
72	Long Beach Twp.-1517	14.7 µg/L	Detected	0	F
73	Hohokus Boro-0228	14.7 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
74	Marlboro Twp.-1328	14.3 µg/L	Detected	13	C+
75	Barnegat Light Boro-1501	14.1 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
76	Woodbridge Twp.-1225	14.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B
77	Cape May City-0502	13.9 µg/L	Detected	9	B
78	Englishtown Boro-1312	13.8 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
79	Stafford Twp.-1530	13.6 µg/L	Detected	3	B
80	Aberdeen Twp-1330	13.5 µg/L	Detected	22	F
81	Toms River-1507	13.2 µg/L	Detected	13	B
82	Ship Bottom Boro-1528	13.2 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
83	Waldwick Boro-0264	13.1 µg/L	Detected	2	F
84	Surf City Boro-1531	13.0 µg/L	Detected	0	D
85	Wildwood City-0514	12.9 µg/L	Detected	6	B-
86	Garfield City-0221	12.9 µg/L	Detected	13	B
87	Little Egg Harbor-1516	12.8 µg/L	Detected	1	A
88	Ramsey Boro-0248	12.7 µg/L	Detected	56	F
89	Buena Boro-0104	12.7 µg/L	Detected	1	A
90	West Cape May Boro-0512	12.7 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
91	Ocean City-0508	12.2 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
92	Matawan Boro-1329	12.2 µg/L	Detected	8	B
93	Allentown Boro-1302	12.2 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
94	Monroe Twp.-0811	12.1 µg/L	Detected	9	C
95	Beach Haven Boro-1503	12.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
96	East Greenwich Twp.-0803	12.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
97	Ridgewood Twp-0251	11.9 µg/L	Detected	12	D+
98	Sayreville Boro-1219	11.7 µg/L	Detected	2	B
99	Avalon Boro-0501	11.6 µg/L	Detected	2	B
100	Stone Harbor Boro-0510	11.6 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
101	Seaside Park Boro-1527	11.5 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
102	Westville Boro-0821	11.4 µg/L	Detected	4	B-
103	Bordentown City-0303	10.9 µg/L	Detected	14	B-
104	Bordentown Twp.-0304	10.9 µg/L	Detected	14	B-
105	Berkeley Twp.-1505	10.9 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
106	Fieldsboro Boro-0314	10.9 µg/L	Detected	17	C
107	Harvey Cedars Boro-1509	10.8 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
108	Tuckerton Boro-1532	10.8 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
109	Galloway Twp-0111	10.7 µg/L	Detected	9	C-
110	Burlington Twp.-0306	10.7 µg/L	Detected	0	B-
111	Egg Harbor City-0107	10.7 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
112	Brooklawn Boro-0407	10.7 µg/L	Detected	0	B
113	Fair Lawn Boro-0217	10.6 µg/L	Detected	8	F
114	Asbury Park City-1303	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
115	Bay Head Boro-1502	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
116	Bradley Beach Boro-1307	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
117	Brick Twp.-1506	10.2 µg/L	Detected	2	B
118	Eatontown Boro-1311	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
119	Fair Haven Boro-1313	10.2 µg/L	Detected	4	C
120	Holmdel Twp.-1318	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
121	Lavalette Boro-1515	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B
122	Little Silver Boro-1323	10.2 µg/L	Detected	4	C
123	Long Branch City-1325	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
124	Middletown Twp.-1331	10.2 µg/L	Detected	9	C+
125	Neptune City Boro-1335	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
126	Neptune Twp.-1334	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
127	Ocean Twp.-1337	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
128	Oceanport Boro-1338	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
129	Red Bank Boro-1340	10.2 µg/L	Detected	4	C
130	Rumson Boro-1342	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
131	Shrewsbury Boro-1345	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
132	Tinton Falls-1336	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
133	Union Beach Boro-1350	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
134	West Long Branch Boro-1353	10.2 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
135	Lakewood Twp.-1514	10.2 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
136	Keansburg Boro-1321	10.2 µg/L	Detected	6	F
137	Haddon Twp.-0416	9.9 µg/L	Detected	0	C+
138	Hopatcong Boro-1912	9.8 µg/L	Detected	3	D+
139	Gloucester City-0414	9.5 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
140	Southampton Twp.-0333	9.5 µg/L	Detected	9	D
141	Allendale Boro-0201	9.3 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
142	Absecon City-0101	9.3 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
143	Linwood City-0114	9.3 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
144	Northfield City-0118	9.3 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
145	Pleasantville City-0119	9.3 µg/L	Detected	4	B-
146	Somers Point City-0121	9.3 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
147	Caldwell Boro-0703	9.1 µg/L	Detected	3	B-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lithium in New Jersey

Is lithium in New Jersey tap water harmful?

Lithium has no federal MCL or health advisory. Some state agencies use 60 µg/L as a screening level. 147 cities in New Jersey had detectable lithium in UCMR 5 testing. Therapeutic lithium doses (used to treat bipolar disorder) are far higher than typical drinking-water levels, but chronic low-level exposure has been studied for potential thyroid and mood effects.

Where does lithium in tap water come from?

Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in arid western states with lithium-bearing geology (parts of Nevada, California, North Carolina, Texas). It can also enter water from industrial sources such as battery manufacturing, ceramics, and lithium-mining wastewater. Geothermal hot springs are another natural source.

How can I remove lithium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing lithium, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Ion exchange systems and distillation also work well. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against lithium. If you rely on a private well in a lithium-rich geological area, consider testing.

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