The New Jersey Highlands is a vital source of potable water for the State. The New Jersey Highlands supplied 34% of the potable water used in New Jersey in 1999. Highlands water is estimated to have been distributed to 292 municipalities in 16 counties. These municipalities are home to 64% of the State’s population.

Potable water is supplied by the New Jersey Highlands in two different ways. Some water is withdrawn from surface-water intakes and ground-water wells physically located in the Highlands. This water supplies communities in the Highlands itself as well as some municipalities in northeastern New Jersey. Additionally, runoff from the Highlands contributes to downstream surface-water supplies. The Highlands is the headwaters of the Raritan, Passaic and Walkill Rivers. It also contributes runoff to the Delaware River. There are 11 potable-supply surfacewater intakes in New Jersey that are downstream of the Highlands and thus are partially supplied by Highlands water.

This analysis is based on a water tracking model developed by the New Jersey Geological Survey done in support of the state water supply plan. Click here to download the Highlands Potable Water Report document in PDF format.