Olympian Water Testing™

Millburn Township, located in Essex County, New Jersey, has a water supply history that dates back to the late 19th century, closely tied to the development of the Short Hills section of the township. The area’s water infrastructure has evolved significantly from its early private systems to today’s modern municipal and regional utility services.

The foundation of Millburn’s water system began around 1879 when Stewart Hartshorn, the founder of Short Hills, established the first pump house in what is now the Short Hills Club lake area. Hartshorn, who was described as having "an unusually keen eye for grades and their rhythmic beauty," designed roads with water and sewage problems in mind. The original system used steam power to pump water from springs to a reservoir on top of a hill east of Highland Avenue. This early infrastructure included dams along Lake Road and at Parsonage Hill Road, forming two lakes known locally as "North and South America," which served both practical water supply needs and recreational purposes for swimming and skating.

By 1886, the Short Hills Water Works was pumping water through one mile of pipe to a service reservoir at an altitude of 150 feet, which fed about 5 miles of main pipes. At that time, there were approximately 50 services with a consumption of 30,000 gallons per day. The system included two hydrants, and meters were just being installed. Beyond serving Short Hills, the water works also supplied Springfield, Elizabeth, and a small section of Millburn.

A significant transition occurred on October 30, 1929, when the Short Hills Water Company stock was purchased by the Commonwealth Water and Light Company. The company was later merged into the Commonwealth Water Company in 1932, which had become a subsidiary of the American Water Works and Electric Company in 1922.

Today, New Jersey American Water provides water service to Millburn Township. The company’s Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant, located in Millburn, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a major water source for the region. The township has implemented a Well Head Protection ordinance to safeguard groundwater resources, recognizing that "the ground water underlying the Township is a major source of existing and future water supplies, including drinking water."

Millburn Township also maintains a Municipal Stormwater Management Plan to address water quality issues related to stormwater runoff. This comprehensive approach to water management reflects the township’s commitment to protecting its water resources while meeting the needs of its residents and businesses.

Each spring, New Jersey American Water performs annual maintenance to flush out harmless mineral deposits that may have built up in the pipe’s inner walls, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality water to Millburn residents.