Bergen County, New Jersey — public water systems

How does Bergen County compare with other New Jersey counties?

Bergen County has the 17th-most active public water systems among the 62 counties listed for active New Jersey systems in EPA records; among the 27 with 3 or more systems, the median has 101. Its systems report 1,153,643 people served in total, the largest county figure in the state and 12% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 22,621 people, about 8.2 times the New Jersey average of 2,750. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Bergen County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Bergen County's active systems draw on groundwater (35, 69%), purchased surface water (14, 27%) and surface water (2, 3.9%). Overall, 69% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 31% on surface water, compared with 96% and 4.5% across New Jersey. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Bergen County?

Bergen County's active systems break down as 22 community systems (43%), 4 non-transient non-community systems (7.8%) and 25 transient non-community systems (49%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as private (57%) and local government (43%).