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Bill

S 1222

Requires public water systems and landlords to provide certain notice of elevated perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances levels in drinking water; requires DEP to establish educational program.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Greenstein and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey requires water systems and landlords to notify residents of elevated PFAS in drinking water and establishes DEP public education program on forever chemical risks.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1222

Legislative bill overview

S 1222 mandates that public water systems and landlords notify residents when drinking water contains elevated levels of PFAS (forever chemicals), and requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop an educational program about PFAS health risks. The bill establishes notification requirements but does not set specific PFAS concentration thresholds—those would be determined by DEP regulations.

Why is this important

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in numerous industrial and consumer products that persist indefinitely in the environment and human bloodstream, with emerging research linking them to health effects including liver damage, thyroid disease, and immune system suppression. Notification requirements give residents actionable information about potential contamination and can drive demand for water treatment, while a public education program addresses widespread knowledge gaps about these chemicals that many people have never heard of.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining "elevated" levels: The bill doesn't specify what concentration triggers notification, leaving DEP discretion that could be challenged as too lenient or burdensome depending on final standards
  • Landlord compliance burden: Requiring private landlords to conduct testing and notification creates administrative and financial costs that may be passed to tenants through rent increases
  • Treatment responsibility gap: The bill mandates notification but doesn't require water systems or landlords to provide remediation, potentially creating awareness without solutions for affected residents

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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