The fire was stopped from reaching a main building at the Qualco chemical plant, Passaic's mayor said, thanks to firefighters. Some suffered minor injuries.
Ernest Fuentes and the juvenile are charged with five counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault, each, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said.
Members of the public are advised not to approach Ernest Fuentes if they recognize him from the photograph being circulated, and instead are asked to call police.
The water utility replaced 52 million gallons of contaminated water and flushed out 550 miles of pipes in order to bring the water back to appropriate standards.