Olympian Water Testing™

Kenilworth, a small borough in Union County, New Jersey, has undergone significant transformations in its water supply systems over the decades. Today, the borough’s approximately 8,000 residents receive their drinking water through New Jersey American Water’s Raritan system, which serves multiple municipalities across central New Jersey.

The borough’s water infrastructure history reflects the broader development patterns of suburban New Jersey communities. Like many municipalities in the region, Kenilworth’s early residents relied primarily on private wells and local water sources before the establishment of centralized water utilities. As the community grew from its incorporation in 1907, the need for reliable municipal water services became increasingly apparent.

New Jersey American Water, with roots dating back to 1886, eventually became the primary water service provider for Kenilworth. The company now serves approximately 2.9 million people across more than 190 New Jersey communities, including Kenilworth Borough. According to the Jersey WaterCheck database, Kenilworth is one of the municipalities served by the NJ American Water – Raritan system, which provides water to an estimated population of 736,791 people.

The Raritan system that serves Kenilworth draws its water from multiple sources, including the Millstone River, Raritan River, Delaware & Raritan Canal, and various aquifers including the upper Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer, middle Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer, Brunswick aquifer, and the Stockton Formation. This diversified water sourcing helps ensure reliability and resilience in the water supply system.

Today, Kenilworth’s Department of Public Works maintains the borough’s underground infrastructure, including sanitary sewer lines, manholes, 548 storm water catch basins, and a pump station. While New Jersey American Water handles water supply, the DPW plays a crucial role in maintaining the distribution and wastewater systems that serve Kenilworth residents.

Water quality in Kenilworth is monitored according to standards set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. New Jersey American Water publishes annual Water Quality Reports that detail testing results and compliance with these standards. The company has also undertaken initiatives to address emerging concerns such as lead service line replacement and PFAS monitoring.

In recent years, infrastructure investment has been a priority for New Jersey American Water across its service areas. In 2020 alone, the company invested more than $464 million statewide in water infrastructure improvements. These investments help address aging infrastructure, improve water quality, and enhance system reliability for communities like Kenilworth.

Looking toward the future, Kenilworth’s water system faces challenges common to many New Jersey communities, including infrastructure aging, climate resilience, and emerging contaminants. New Jersey American Water has committed to removing lead and galvanized piping from service lines within the next ten years, which will benefit Kenilworth residents served by these older connections.

The evolution of Kenilworth’s water infrastructure represents a microcosm of the broader development of public utilities in suburban New Jersey. From early reliance on local sources to integration with sophisticated regional systems, the borough’s water supply history reflects changing technologies, growing population needs, and increasing environmental and health standards that continue to shape water management practices today.