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Perth Amboy, NJ Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Perth Amboy Water Department PWSID: NJ1216001 Updated: 2026 Q2
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PFAS above the federal limit

Lead was not detected and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points, running as high as 3.83 times the limit.

D

Perth Amboy earns a D for water quality

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

Lead: not detected
PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points
44 violations since 2015, 7 health-based
No violations currently open
Perth Amboy's lead level vs. all New Jersey community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: Not detected — 0% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than % of New Jersey utilities
Population Served
55381
~11579 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water — SDWIS source code GU
Active Violations
0
44 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
0% of EPA action level
Not detected
Action level: 15 ppb
Lead was not detected at the 90th percentile — the result fell below the laboratory detection limit. That is not the same as an absence of lead in every tap, and older homes with lead service lines can still show higher readings.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MCL EXCEEDANCE 17 PCI/L 15 pCi/L 2026 Archived
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MCL EXCEEDANCE 16 PCI/L 15 pCi/L 2025 Archived
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MCL EXCEEDANCE 17 PCI/L 15 pCi/L 2025 Archived
CYANIDE MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.2 mg/L 2024 Resolved
Radium-228 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2023 Resolved
Radium-226 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2023 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 5 pCi/L 2023 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2019 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2019 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MONITORING AND REPORTING — 15 pCi/L 2019 Resolved
Combined Uranium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 30 ug/L 2019 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 5 pCi/L 2019 Resolved
Radium-226 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2019 Resolved
Radium-228 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2019 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.087 MG/L 0.080 mg/L 2019 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.084 MG/L 0.080 mg/L 2019 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.092 MG/L 0.080 mg/L 2019 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2019 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2018 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MONITORING AND REPORTING — 15 pCi/L 2018 Resolved
Combined Uranium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 30 ug/L 2018 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 5 pCi/L 2018 Resolved
Radium-226 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2018 Resolved
Radium-228 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2018 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2018 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MONITORING AND REPORTING — 15 pCi/L 2018 Resolved
Combined Uranium MONITORING AND REPORTING — 30 ug/L 2018 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 5 pCi/L 2018 Resolved
Radium-226 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2018 Resolved
Radium-228 MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2018 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2018 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — TT 2018 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2018 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2018 Resolved
Nitrate MONITORING AND REPORTING — 10 mg/L 2018 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2017 Resolved
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2015 Resolved
Turbidity MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2015 Resolved
Cryptosporidium MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2015 Resolved
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2015 Resolved
Turbidity MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2015 Resolved
Cryptosporidium MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2015 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

44 violations are on record since 2015, of which 7 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Perth Amboy Water Department
PWSID NJ1216001
Water source Surface water — Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water — SDWIS source code GU
Population served 55,381
Service connections 11,579
Systems serving this area 2
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Perth Amboy tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points. No violations are currently open.
Does Perth Amboy water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points, running as high as 3.83 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Perth Amboy? ▼
Perth Amboy Water Department (PWSID NJ1216001), one of 2 systems serving this area. Surface water. Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water — SDWIS source code GU
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2025-10-21. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Perth Amboy 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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