Olympian Water Testing™

Kearny, New Jersey’s water supply history dates back to the late 19th century when the town was established as an industrial center. The Kearny Water Department was formally established in 1899, as noted by WaterZen, to provide reliable water service to the growing community. In its early years, like many municipalities in the region, Kearny likely relied on a combination of local wells and surface water sources to meet the needs of its residents and the numerous industrial facilities that were attracted to the area, including the Clark Thread Company and other manufacturing operations that required substantial water resources.

Today, Kearny no longer draws water from local sources but instead purchases its water supply from the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (NJDWSC), which was established in 1916 as an independent state agency designed to develop water resources free from political entanglements. The NJDWSC operates the Wanaque Reservoir and Monksville Reservoir system, which serves as the primary water source for Kearny and several other municipalities in northern New Jersey. This regional approach to water management began in the early 20th century when growing urban areas recognized the need for more substantial and reliable water sources than local supplies could provide. According to the Town of Kearny’s official website, the water distribution system is now operated and maintained by Veolia, a private company contracted to handle the town’s water infrastructure, meter reading, billing, and customer service concerns.

The water supply for Kearny faces challenges similar to other older industrial communities in New Jersey, including aging infrastructure and the need for ongoing maintenance and upgrades. The town’s water comes from a blend of surface water sources via the NJDWSC, which draws water from the Wanaque and Monksville Reservoirs, with additional water pumped from the Pompton and Ramapo Rivers as needed during periods of high demand or drought conditions. This regional water system is part of a larger network that serves approximately 3.5 million residents in northern New Jersey, demonstrating how water resource management has evolved from local control to regional cooperation to ensure reliable, safe drinking water. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Water Supply & Geoscience provides oversight and regulation to ensure that Kearny’s water meets all state and federal quality standards.