Perth Amboy Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Perth Amboy Water Department, in partnership with Utility Service Affiliates (USA-PA) — a subsidiary of Middlesex Water Company — serves approximately 52,328 people across Perth Amboy and surrounding areas in Middlesex County, New Jersey. The utility draws its entire supply from groundwater at the Runyon Well field in Old Bridge, NJ, approximately nine miles south of the city. Water is extracted via wells, treated at a dedicated plant, stored in a reservoir with booster pumps and a standpipe, and distributed through 95 miles of mains; in 2024, USA-PA delivered 2.0 billion gallons to about 13,000 customer accounts.

The watershed encompasses 1,300 acres supporting the Runyon Well field, situated within the unconsolidated Coastal Plain deposits of Central New Jersey. The Old Bridge Aquifer, formed from Cretaceous and Tertiary sands, gravels, and clays, shapes water chemistry through mineral dissolution from these sedimentary layers. This groundwater origin imparts a moderately mineralised character, as calcium and magnesium ions from the aquifer sediments produce a harder profile compared to surface waters in northern regions.

At moderately hard levels, water promotes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and causing spots on dishes and dry skin. Regular vinegar descaling of fixtures and annual flushing of water heaters are advised; a water softener is recommended to mitigate effects and protect appliances. Recent reports have flagged higher Gross Alpha Particle Activity levels, prompting increased testing and exploration of treatment options, though city updates confirm water remains safe for use. The utility has recorded contaminants above EPA guidelines; treatment involves standard groundwater processes, and no softening is currently applied at the source.