Introduction

Madison New Jersey is a small city town located in Northern New Jersey. While the borough itself is not large, it still contains a considerable, diverse population with sprawling suburbs and bustling center showcasing a such. However, there have been numerous instances of water contamination across the borough, which can severely affect the livelihoods of population if not rectified.

Data

Three data layers are present showcasing the known contaminated sites within the state of New Jersey, the use of land in New Jersey focusing on urban land use, and the different sole source aquifers that cover the state. These layers combine to provide information to identify known contaminated locations that are near urban locations and the specific aquifer that could also be affected by contamination

This map presents known contaminated sites in Madison New Jersey as of 2023.

Results

Madison is located in the Buried Valley aquifer which also covers neighboring Morristown. In the borough itself, there are 22 known contaminated sites, with 11 of these sites concentrated centrally in the borough at the heart of urban land use. The remaining 11 sites are scattered into suburban areas on the outskirts of the city center. Approximately ~90% of the borough is utilized for urban land use. 

Conclusion

The presence of all contaminated sites near urban land use is worrisome. Not only can homes be affected, but businesses, particularly restaurants and grocery stores, can be severely impacted by contamination sites poisoning local water supplies. The presence of this data and consistent monitoring of these sites and other potential instances of contamination are important for preserving clean water for public use. This data can be further utilized in the proposal of national policies, such as the PFAS Action Act of 2021, to place standards and necessary procedures for rectification of contamination.

About the Data

The 2015 land use/land cover data of the state of New Jersey, known contaminated sites within the state, and sole source aquifers were provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection under their GIS bureau.

To download a one-page slide summary for the known contaminated sites in Madison, click here