New Jersey's Aquifers

There are eight aquifers in southern New Jersey that provide about 75 percent of all fresh water used in homes, businesses, and for farming.

The Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer is comprised of what are known as the Kirkwood and Cohansey geologic formations, which include underground, water-saturated layers of sand, fine gravel and some clay-like material. In some areas the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer is connected to deeper aquifers like the Atlantic City 800-foot sand aquifer, which is close to coastal areas and a primary source of drinking water for Jersey shore communities. Confining layers, comprised of an impermeable clay-like material, separate aquifers and prevent or inhibit water from moving from one aquifer to another.

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