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Garfield, NJ Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Garfield, NJ — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Garfield's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Garfield Water Department PWSID: NJ0221001 Updated: 2026 Q2
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PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points

Lead is 3.40 ppb, 23% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points, running as high as 1.89 times the limit.

C

Garfield earns a C for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 3.40 ppb — 23% of the federal action level
PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points
26 violations since 2015, 1 health-based
No violations currently open
Garfield's lead level vs. all New Jersey community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 3.40 ppb — 23% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 26% of New Jersey utilities
Population Served
32620
~6471 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Active Violations
0
26 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
23% of EPA action level
3.40 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 3.40 ppb, 23% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Public Notice OTHER — — 2021 Unaddressed
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2019 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2019 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2019 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2018 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2017 Resolved
Mercury MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.002 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Antimony, Total MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.006 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Selenium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.05 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Thallium, Total MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.002 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Cadmium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.005 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Beryllium, Total MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.004 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
CYANIDE MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.2 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Fluoride MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Barium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 2 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Nickel MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2017–2019 Archived
Chromium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.1 mg/L 2017–2019 Archived
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MONITORING AND REPORTING — 15 pCi/L 2017–2025 Archived
Combined Uranium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 30 ug/L 2017–2025 Archived
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 5 pCi/L 2017–2025 Archived
Radium-226 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2017–2025 Archived
Radium-228 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2017–2025 Archived
Combined Uranium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 30 ug/L 2016 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 5 pCi/L 2016 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MONITORING AND REPORTING — 15 pCi/L 2016 Resolved
Tetrachloroethylene MCL EXCEEDANCE 3 UG/L 0.005 mg/L 2016 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

26 violations are on record since 2015, of which 1 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Garfield Water Department
PWSID NJ0221001
Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Population served 32,620
Service connections 6,471
Systems serving this area 4
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Garfield tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 3.40 ppb, 23% of the action level.
Does Garfield water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points, running as high as 1.89 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Garfield? ▼
Garfield Water Department (PWSID NJ0221001), one of 4 systems serving this area. Surface water. Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2025-11-25. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Garfield Residents Do?

1
Consider a reverse-osmosis filter
Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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