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Totowa, NJ Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Totowa W Dept PWSID: NJ1612001 Updated: 2026 Q2
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PFAS above the federal limit

Lead is 3.60 ppb, 24% 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 1.39 times the limit.

B

Totowa earns a B for water quality

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

Lead: 3.60 ppb — 24% of the federal action level
PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points
18 violations since 2015, 0 health-based
No violations currently open
Totowa's lead level vs. all New Jersey community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 3.60 ppb — 24% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 24% of New Jersey utilities
Population Served
11065
~3900 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Active Violations
0
18 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
24% of EPA action level
3.60 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 3.60 ppb, 24% 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
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2025 Archived
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2025 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2025 Archived
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2025 Archived
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2025 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2024 Unaddressed
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2024 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2024 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2021 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2020 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2018 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2018 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2018 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2017 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2015 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2015 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 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

18 violations are on record since 2015, of which 0 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Totowa W Dept
PWSID NJ1612001
Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Population served 11,065
Service connections 3,900
Systems serving this area 4
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Totowa 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 3.60 ppb, 24% of the action level.
Does Totowa water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 1 sampling points, running as high as 1.39 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Totowa? ▼
Totowa W Dept (PWSID NJ1612001), 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 2025-08-13. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Totowa 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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