Molybdenum Contamination

Molybdenum in New Jersey Drinking Water

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

100

Cities Tested

Over HA

% Over HA

2.29 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 2% vs national

vs National

331

Health Violations

Analysis

Molybdenum in New Jersey: what the data shows

New Jersey has 100 cities with molybdenum data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Molybdenum exceeded the 40 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory in 0 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 2.29 µg/L. Molybdenum is a naturally occurring trace element found in groundwater across the western United States, particularly in areas with shale or copper-mining geology. Industrial sources include mining, steel alloy production, and coal-fired power plants. There is no federal MCL — the EPA lifetime health advisory is 40 µg/L. Molybdenum is an essential nutrient at low doses, but chronic excess intake from drinking water has been linked to elevated uric acid, gout-like symptoms, and possible reproductive effects. Reverse osmosis is the most effective household treatment.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 40 µg/L EPA lifetime HA (no MCL)

New Jersey

0 of 100 cities

← ▼ 2% below national rate (better)

National avg

36 of 2228 cities

City Map

Molybdenum data across New Jersey

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 molybdenum testing data. Cities where molybdenum exceeds the 40 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by molybdenum level in New Jersey

Highest Molybdenum levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All New Jersey cities ranked by molybdenum level

#	City	Level	Over HA?	Violations	Grade
1	Woodbridge Twp.-1225	20.08 µg/L	No	1	B
2	Elizabeth City- 2004	18.20 µg/L	No	8	C-
3	Elizabeth City- 2004	18.20 µg/L	No	6	F
4	Freehold Twp.-1316	5.20 µg/L	No	13	B-
5	Pompton Lakes Boro-1609	3.87 µg/L	No	0	C
6	Sparta Twp.-1918	3.70 µg/L	No	11	F
7	Phillipsburg Town-2119	2.60 µg/L	No	0	B+
8	Deptford Twp.-0802	2.20 µg/L	No	3	B-
9	Burlington Twp.-0306	2.13 µg/L	No	5	F
10	Atlantic City-0102	2.10 µg/L	No	4	B
11	Mount Holly Twp.-0323	2.10 µg/L	No	0	B+
12	Mantua Twp.-0810	2.00 µg/L	No	28	F
13	Glassboro Boro-0806	1.90 µg/L	No	16	C
14	Little Falls Twp.-1605	1.80 µg/L	No	12	B
15	Hillside Twp.-2007	1.80 µg/L	No	32	C
16	Hillside Twp.-2007	1.80 µg/L	No	32	C
17	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	5	D+
18	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	2	F
19	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	2	D+
20	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	42	F
21	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	10	C
22	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	1	B
23	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	C-
24	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	3	B-
25	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
26	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
27	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
28	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
29	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	12	F
30	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
31	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
32	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
33	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
34	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
35	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
36	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
37	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
38	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
39	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
40	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
41	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
42	Summit City-2018	1.80 µg/L	No	0	B+
43	West Deptford Twp.-0820	1.80 µg/L	No	2	B
44	Roxbury Twp.-1436	1.76 µg/L	No	8	D+
45	Woodbury City-0822	1.75 µg/L	No	0	B
46	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	25	F
47	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	8	C-
48	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	8	C-
49	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	1	B-
50	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	1	B-
51	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B-
52	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	2	C+
53	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	C+
54	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	1	B-
55	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	C+
56	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
57	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
58	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
59	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
60	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
61	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
62	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
63	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
64	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
65	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
66	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
67	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
68	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
69	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
70	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
71	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
72	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
73	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
74	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
75	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
76	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
77	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
78	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
79	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
80	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.70 µg/L	No	0	B
81	Mendham Twp.-1419	1.70 µg/L	No	2	D+
82	Mendham Twp.-1419	1.70 µg/L	No	2	C-
83	Mendham Twp.-1419	1.70 µg/L	No	2	C-
84	Mendham Twp.-1419	1.70 µg/L	No	2	C-
85	Montville Twp.-1421	1.64 µg/L	No	7	C
86	Rockaway Twp.-1435	1.60 µg/L	No	8	F
87	Winslow Twp.-0436	1.54 µg/L	No	37	F
88	Vineland City-0614	1.50 µg/L	No	70	F
89	East Hanover Twp.-1410	1.50 µg/L	No	8	C+
90	Clinton Town -1005	1.43 µg/L	No	2	D
91	Washington Twp.-0818	1.40 µg/L	No	0	F
92	Ramsey Boro-0248	1.40 µg/L	No	56	F
93	Camden City-0408	1.30 µg/L	No	8	C+
94	Rahway City-2013	1.30 µg/L	No	12	B
95	Fair Lawn Boro-0217	1.18 µg/L	No	8	F
96	Highland Park Boro-1207	1.11 µg/L	No	4	B+
97	Edison Twp.-1205	1.10 µg/L	No	4	B-
98	Garfield City-0221	1.10 µg/L	No	13	B
99	Verona Boro-0720	1.10 µg/L	No	5	F
100	North Arlington Boro-0239	1.00 µg/L	No	7	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about molybdenum in New Jersey

Is molybdenum in New Jersey tap water harmful?

Molybdenum is an essential trace nutrient at low levels, but chronic exposure above the EPA's 40 µg/L lifetime health advisory has been associated with elevated uric acid, gout-like joint pain, and possible reproductive effects. No cities in New Jersey exceed the 40 µg/L health advisory.

Where does molybdenum come from?

Molybdenum occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in the western US in regions with shale, copper mining, or molybdenum mining geology. Industrial sources include mining tailings, steel alloy production, and coal ash. Surface-water systems generally have lower molybdenum than groundwater.

How can I remove molybdenum from drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is the most effective household treatment for molybdenum, typically removing 90%+. Anion exchange and some specialty media (like activated alumina) also work. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against molybdenum.

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