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Paterson, NJ Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Passaic Valley Water Commission PWSID: NJ1605002 Updated: 2026 Q2
⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit

Lead is 2.40 ppb, 16% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points, running as high as 2.47 times the limit.

C

Paterson earns a C for water quality

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

Lead: 2.40 ppb — 16% of the federal action level
PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points
4 violations since 2015, 1 health-based
No violations currently open
Paterson's lead level vs. all New Jersey community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 2.40 ppb — 16% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 44% of New Jersey utilities
Population Served
159126
~53421 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Active Violations
0
4 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
16% of EPA action level
2.40 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 2.40 ppb, 16% 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
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2025 Archived
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2023 Resolved
2,4-D MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.07 mg/L 2023 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — TT 2021 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

4 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 Passaic Valley Water Commission
PWSID NJ1605002
Water source Surface water — Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Population served 159,126
Service connections 53,421
Systems serving this area 4
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paterson 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. Lead is 2.40 ppb, 16% of the action level.
Does Paterson water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points, running as high as 2.47 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Paterson? ▼
Passaic Valley Water Commission (PWSID NJ1605002), one of 4 systems serving this area. Surface water. Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2025-08-08. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Paterson 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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