# N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-2: Legislative findings and declarations

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-2

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-2
- **Heading:** Legislative findings and declarations
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 58 / Chapter 12A / Section 12A-2

## Text

The Legislature finds and declares that it is a paramount policy of the State to protect the purity of the water we drink and that the Department of Environmental Protection shall be empowered to promulgate and enforce regulations to purify drinking water by filtration or such other treatment method as it may require, prior to the distribution of said drinking water to the public; that the maintenance of high-quality potable water is essential in order to safeguard the health and welfare of the people of the State; that the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act provides a comprehensive framework, at a minimum, for establishing standards, providing technical assistance, and for regulating the collection, treatment, monitoring, storage, and distribution of potable water, and for consolidating and improving existing State law regarding potable water; and that it is in the best interests of the people of the State for the State, through its Department of Environmental Protection, to assume primary enforcement responsibility under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. L.1977, c. 224, s. 2, eff. Sept. 17, 1977. Amended by L.1983, c. 443, s. 12, eff. Jan. 9, 1984.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-1 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-2 Legislative findings and declarations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-3 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-4 Powers, duties of commissioner relative to drinking water regulations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-4.1 Limitation on construction of new or extension of public water systems.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-4.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-5 Regulations; variances or exemptions; duration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-6 Knowledge of contaminant in or likely to enter water system; actions by commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-6.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-7 Emergency circumstances; provision of safe drinking water](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-7.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-8 Failure of public water supply system to comply with regulations or requirements; notice requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-8.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-8.2 Provision of boil water notices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-8.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-8.3 Notifying municipalities and educational institutions of violations requiring Tier 2 Public Notice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-8.3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-9 General powers and duties of commissioner.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-9.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-10 Violations; remedies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-10.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 58:12A-11 Severability; liberal construction; continuation of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to repealed statutes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T58_C12A_S12A-2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.