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Community Water System · PWS NJ0814001

Paulsboro Water Department

Paulsboro, New Jersey 08066 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 6,097 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

6,097
People served
182
EPA violations
21
Health-based
2 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 182 drinking-water violations at Paulsboro Water Department, 12% of them health-based - above the New Jersey per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds.

182
Total EPA violations on record
12%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
6,097
People served by this system
2
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Paulsboro Water Department

Paulsboro Water Department is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 6,097 residents in Paulsboro, New Jersey (Gloucester County) through 2,224 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 182 total violations for this system , of which 21 (12%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 152 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2023.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 13 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 2 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 6.1 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%).

Paulsboro Water Department's 182 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

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

Population Served
6,097
Total Violations
182
Health-Based Violations
21
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
2,224
County
Gloucester
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
21
Monitoring Violations
152
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 13 2012
Lead and Copper Rule MR 11 2023
Chlorine MR 8 2022
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 7 2007
Carbon tetrachloride MR 7 2007
CHLOROBENZENE MR 7 2007
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MCL 7 2014
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 2005
Xylenes, Total MR 4 2005
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 2005
Vinyl chloride MR 4 2005
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2005
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 2005
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 2005
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 4 2005
Tetrachloroethylene MR 4 2005
Benzene MR 4 2005
Toluene MR 4 2005
Styrene MR 4 2005
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 2005
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 4 2004
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 4 2015
Combined Uranium MR 4 2016
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MR 4 2016
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MR 4 2016
Nitrate MR 4 2018
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2005
Ethylbenzene MR 4 2005
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2005
Trichloroethylene MR 4 2005

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 2 of 116 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFHxS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/15/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/15/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/15/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/15/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/15/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/15/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/15/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/15/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/15/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/15/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/15/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/15/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 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 Paulsboro Water Department.

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 NJ0814001 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 Paulsboro Water Department 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
2023 Lead and Copper Rule MR 11 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 5000
2022 Chlorine MR 8 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 0999
2019 ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE MR 2 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 2946
2019 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE MR 2 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 2931
2018 Nitrate MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 1040
2016 Combined Uranium MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 4006
2016 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 4010
2016 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 4000
2015 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 4 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 7000
2014 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MCL 7 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 4010
2012 Coliform (TCR) MCL 13 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 3100
2007 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 7 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 2969
2007 Carbon tetrachloride MR 7 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 2982
2007 CHLOROBENZENE MR 7 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 2989
2005 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0814001 / 2378

How Paulsboro Water Department Compares

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

Metric Paulsboro Water Department New Jersey avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 182 59.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 21 6.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 2 compounds 78.8% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 6,097 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 Paulsboro Water Department water safe to drink?
Paulsboro Water Department (PWS ID: NJ0814001) has 182 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 2 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 6,097 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Paulsboro Water Department serve?
Paulsboro Water Department serves 6,097 people in Paulsboro, New Jersey. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 2,224 service connections.
What type of violations does Paulsboro Water Department have?
Paulsboro Water Department has 182 total violations: 21 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 152 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Paulsboro Water Department water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds in Paulsboro Water Department's water supply: PFPeA, PFBA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Paulsboro Water Department use?
Paulsboro Water Department uses Groundwater 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.