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South River, NJ Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: South River W Dept PWSID: NJ1223001 Updated: 2026 Q2
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PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 2 sampling points

Lead was not detected and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 2 sampling points, running as high as 1.15 times the limit.

D

South River 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 2 sampling points
28 violations since 2015, 4 health-based
No violations currently open
South River'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
16118
~4245 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Active Violations
0
28 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
Copper (Cu)
90th percentile of tap samples. SDWIS reports a copper figure only when a system exceeds the action level, so any value here is an exceedance.
140.8% of EPA action level
1,830 ppb
Action level: 1,300 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. Copper reached the action level here; a copper figure appears in SDWIS only when a system triggers it.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2025 Unaddressed
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2025 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2025 Archived
Public Notice OTHER — — 2025 Unaddressed
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2025 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2025 Archived
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2025 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2025 Archived
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2025 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2024–2025 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2024–2025 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2024 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2023–2024 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2023 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2023 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — TT 2023 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2023 Resolved
Nitrate MONITORING AND REPORTING — 10 mg/L 2023 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2022 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2021 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2021 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2020 Resolved
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
Revised Total Coliform Rule REPORTING FAILURE — — 2016 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 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

28 violations are on record since 2015, of which 4 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility South River W Dept
PWSID NJ1223001
Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Population served 16,118
Service connections 4,245
Systems serving this area 3
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South River tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 2 sampling points. No violations are currently open.
Does South River water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 2 sampling points, running as high as 1.15 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to South River? ▼
South River W Dept (PWSID NJ1223001), one of 3 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 2025-10-15. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should South River 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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