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Community Water System · PWS NJ1223001

South River W Dept

South River, New Jersey 08882 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 16,000 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

16,000
People served
100
EPA violations
13
Health-based
5 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 100 drinking-water violations at South River W Dept, 13% of them health-based - above the New Jersey per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds.

100
Total EPA violations on record
13%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
16,000
People served by this system
5
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: South River W Dept

South River W Dept is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 16,000 residents in South River, New Jersey (Middlesex County) through 4,245 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 100 total violations for this system , of which 13 (13%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 64 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 Lead and Copper Rule, recorded in 13 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 5 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 8.4 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%).

South River W Dept's 100 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
16,000
Total Violations
100
Health-Based Violations
13
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
4,245
County
Middlesex
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
4
Monitoring Violations
64
Treatment Tech Violations
9

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Lead and Copper Rule MR 13 2025
TTHM MR 9 2024
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 9 2025
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 9 2024
Coliform (TCR) MR 7 2013
Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 7 2020
Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 5 2025
Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 4 2016
Lead and Copper Rule TT 4 2023
Chlorine MR 3 2019
Nitrate MR 3 2023
Public Notice Other 3 2025
Asbestos MR 2 2011
Coliform (TCR) MCL 2 1992
Revised Total Coliform Rule RPT 2 2016
Antimony, Total MCL 1 2002
Barium MR 1 1979
Mercury MR 1 1979
Fluoride MR 1 1979
Lead Other 1 2003
Arsenic MR 1 1979
Cadmium MR 1 1979
Chromium MR 1 1979
Selenium MR 1 1979
Thallium, Total MCL 1 2002

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 8 of 174 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/16/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/16/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/16/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/16/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/16/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/16/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/16/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 9/16/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/16/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 9/16/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 9/16/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/16/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/16/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/16/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/16/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/16/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/16/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/16/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 6/11/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 6/11/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 6/11/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 6/11/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 6/11/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 6/11/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 6/11/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 6/11/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 6/11/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 6/11/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 6/11/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 6/11/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 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 South River W 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 NJ1223001 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 South River W 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 Lead and Copper Rule MR 13 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 5000
2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 9 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 7000
2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 5 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 0200
2025 Public Notice Other 3 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 7500
2024 TTHM MR 9 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 2950
2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 9 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 2456
2023 Lead and Copper Rule TT 4 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 5000
2023 Nitrate MR 3 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 1040
2020 Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 7 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 0200
2019 Chlorine MR 3 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 0999
2016 Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 4 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 8000
2016 Revised Total Coliform Rule RPT 2 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 8000
2013 Coliform (TCR) MR 7 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 3100
2011 Asbestos MR 2 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 1094
2003 Lead Other 1 SDWIS / NJ1223001 / 1030

How South River W Dept Compares

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

Metric South River W Dept New Jersey avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 100 59.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 13 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 16,000 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 South River W Dept water safe to drink?
South River W Dept (PWS ID: NJ1223001) has 100 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 16,000 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does South River W Dept serve?
South River W Dept serves 16,000 people in South River, New Jersey. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 4,245 service connections.
What type of violations does South River W Dept have?
South River W Dept has 100 total violations: 13 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 64 monitoring/reporting violations, and 9 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in South River W Dept water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in South River W Dept's water supply: PFPeA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxA, PFBA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does South River W Dept use?
South River W 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.