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Community Water System · PWS NJ0211001

Elmwood Park Water Dept

Elmwood Park Boro, New Jersey 07407 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 20,374 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

20,374
People served
141
EPA violations
41
Health-based
5 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 141 drinking-water violations at Elmwood Park Water Dept, 29% of them health-based - above the New Jersey per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds.

141
Total EPA violations on record
29%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
20,374
People served by this system
5
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Elmwood Park Water Dept

Elmwood Park Water Dept is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 20,374 residents in Elmwood Park Boro, New Jersey (Bergen County) through 5,300 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 141 total violations for this system , of which 41 (29%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 86 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2025.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 24 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 5 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 9.3 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across New Jersey, EPA tracks 3,428 public water systems serving 9,570,926 people, with 204,988 cumulative violations and 22,229 health-based violations on record. About 95% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 59.8 violations. Statewide, 208 of 264 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (78.8%).

Elmwood Park Water Dept's 141 violations sit above the New Jersey average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

5 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
20,374
Total Violations
141
Health-Based Violations
41
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
5,300
County
Bergen
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
41
Monitoring Violations
86
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 24 2015
TTHM MR 22 2024
TTHM MCL 17 2018
Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 11 2025
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 7 2018
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 7 2008
Lead and Copper Rule MR 7 2024
Fluoride MR 4 1988
Selenium MR 4 1988
Mercury MR 4 1988
Chromium MR 4 1988
Barium MR 4 1988
Arsenic MR 4 1988
Cadmium MR 4 1988
Coliform (TCR) MR 3 2012
Nitrate MR 2 1988
Revised Total Coliform Rule RPT 2 2017
Endrin MR 1 1981
BHC-GAMMA MR 1 1981
2,4,5-TP MR 1 1981
Methoxychlor MR 1 1981
2,4-D MR 1 1981
Toxaphene MR 1 1981

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 6 of 116 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFEESA 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/13/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 9/13/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/13/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/13/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/13/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/13/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/13/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/13/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/13/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/13/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/13/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 9/13/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 9/13/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/13/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/13/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/13/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/13/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/13/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/12/2023 3.80 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFUnA 7/12/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/12/2023 4.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFOS 7/12/2023 4.20 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
6:2 FTS 7/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/12/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/12/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/12/2023 5.80 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFBA 7/12/2023 9.30 ppt 5.00 ppt Detected
NFDHA 7/12/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/12/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/12/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Elmwood Park Water Dept.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID NJ0211001 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

New Jersey Drinking Water Authority

NJ DEP, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Elmwood Park Water Dept under EPA-delegated authority.

Open NJ regulator portal

Source: NJ DEP, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 11 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 0200
2024 TTHM MR 22 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 2950
2024 Lead and Copper Rule MR 7 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 5000
2018 TTHM MCL 17 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 2950
2018 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 7 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 7000
2017 Revised Total Coliform Rule RPT 2 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 8000
2015 Coliform (TCR) MCL 24 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 3100
2012 Coliform (TCR) MR 3 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 3100
2008 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 7 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 2456
1988 Fluoride MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 1025
1988 Selenium MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 1045
1988 Mercury MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 1035
1988 Chromium MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 1020
1988 Barium MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 1010
1988 Arsenic MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0211001 / 1005

How Elmwood Park Water Dept Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Elmwood Park Water Dept New Jersey avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 141 59.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 41 6.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 5 compounds 78.8% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 20,374 2,792 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 3,428 regulated public water systems in New Jersey.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elmwood Park Water Dept water safe to drink?
Elmwood Park Water Dept (PWS ID: NJ0211001) has 141 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 20,374 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Elmwood Park Water Dept serve?
Elmwood Park Water Dept serves 20,374 people in Elmwood Park Boro, New Jersey. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 5,300 service connections.
What type of violations does Elmwood Park Water Dept have?
Elmwood Park Water Dept has 141 total violations: 41 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 86 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Elmwood Park Water Dept water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in Elmwood Park Water Dept's water supply: PFPeA, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFBA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Elmwood Park Water Dept use?
Elmwood Park Water Dept uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.