SPOTSWOOD W DEPT

Q: Is SPOTSWOOD W DEPT water safe to drink?

SPOTSWOOD W DEPT (PWS ID: NJ1224001) has 87 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 8,300 people using Surface Water sources.

Q: What type of violations does SPOTSWOOD W DEPT have?

SPOTSWOOD W DEPT has 87 total violations: 3 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 74 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.

Q: Has PFAS been detected in SPOTSWOOD W DEPT water?

Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in SPOTSWOOD W DEPT's water supply: PFPeA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxA, PFHxS. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.

Q: What water source does SPOTSWOOD W DEPT use?

SPOTSWOOD W DEPT uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.

Q: 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.

Reviewed byPlainWater Editorial, Drinking Water Quality Editorial Team · June 4, 2026

PWS ID: NJ1224001 · SPOTSWOOD, New Jersey 08884

SPOTSWOOD W DEPT serves 8,300 people in SPOTSWOOD, New Jersey using Surface Water water sources. It has 87 recorded EPA violations, including 3 health-based violations. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in UCMR5 testing (5 compounds found).

Water Quality Snapshot: SPOTSWOOD W DEPT

SPOTSWOOD W DEPT is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 8,300 residents in SPOTSWOOD, New Jersey (Middlesex County) through 2,137 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 87 total violations for this system , of which 3 (3%) are health-based — meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 74 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 Nitrate, recorded in 11 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 0.0091 ppt. 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. SPOTSWOOD W DEPT's 87 violations sit above the New Jersey average. Statewide, 208 of 264 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (78.8%). 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

8,300

Total Violations

Health-Based Violations

Water Source

Surface Water

System Details

System Type: Community
Owner Type: Local
Connections: 2,137
County: Middlesex
School/Daycare: No
MCL Violations: 3
Monitoring Violations: 74
Treatment Tech Violations: 0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant	Category	Count	Latest
Nitrate	MR	11	2020
Consumer Confidence Rule	Other	7	2015
TTHM	MR	6	2022
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MR	6	2022
Lead and Copper Rule	MR	6	2022
Chlorine	MR	5	2023
Surface Water Treatment Rule	MR	4	2019
E. COLI	MR	4	2023
ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE	MR	3	2019
Coliform (TCR)	MCL	3	2012
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE	MR	3	2019
Fluoride	MR	2	1999
Antimony, Total	MR	2	1999
Beryllium, Total	MR	2	1999
Thallium, Total	MR	2	1999
Arsenic	MR	2	1999
Barium	MR	2	1999
Cadmium	MR	2	1999
CYANIDE	MR	2	1999
Nickel	MR	2	1999
Selenium	MR	2	1999
Chromium	MR	2	1999
Mercury	MR	2	1999
Asbestos	MR	2	2011

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 13 of 120 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant	Date	Result	MRL	Status
PFDoA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFTA	9/17/2025	<0.008 µg/L	0.008 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeS	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpS	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFTrDA	9/17/2025	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFMBA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOA	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOS	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFNA	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxS	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFUnA	9/17/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
NMeFOSAA	9/17/2025	<0.006 µg/L	0.006 µg/L	Not Detected
PFEESA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeA	9/17/2025	0.0031 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Detected
PFMPA	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBS	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
8:2 FTS	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
lithium	9/17/2025	<9 µg/L	9 µg/L	Not Detected
4:2 FTS	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBA	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
ADONA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	9/17/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
NFDHA	9/17/2025	<0.02 µg/L	0.02 µg/L	Not Detected
NEtFOSAA	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeS	7/7/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBA	7/7/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	7/7/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	7/7/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
ADONA	7/7/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFTA	7/7/2025	<0.008 µg/L	0.008 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpS	7/7/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
NFDHA	7/7/2025	<0.02 µg/L	0.02 µg/L	Not Detected
PFMPA	7/7/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeA	7/7/2025	0.0046 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Detected
PFMBA	7/7/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFEESA	7/7/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBS	7/7/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOA	7/7/2025	0.0042 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Detected
PFOS	7/7/2025	0.0048 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	7/7/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	7/7/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFUnA	7/7/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxA	7/7/2025	0.0039 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Detected
PFDoA	7/7/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	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 SPOTSWOOD 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 NJ1224001 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 SPOTSWOOD 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
2023	Chlorine	MR	5	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 0999
2023	E. COLI	MR	4	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 3014
2022	TTHM	MR	6	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 2950
2022	Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MR	6	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 2456
2022	Lead and Copper Rule	MR	6	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 5000
2020	Nitrate	MR	11	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 1040
2019	Surface Water Treatment Rule	MR	4	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 0200
2019	ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE	MR	3	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 2946
2019	1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE	MR	3	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 2931
2015	Consumer Confidence Rule	Other	7	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 7000
2012	Coliform (TCR)	MCL	3	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 3100
2011	Asbestos	MR	2	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 1094
1999	Fluoride	MR	2	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 1025
1999	Antimony, Total	MR	2	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 1074
1999	Beryllium, Total	MR	2	SDWIS / NJ1224001 / 1075

How SPOTSWOOD W DEPT Compares

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

Metric	SPOTSWOOD W DEPT	New Jersey avg	Federal benchmark
Total violations	87	59.8	SDWA compliance — any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations	3	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	8,300	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
Nitrate (as N)	10 mg/L	Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SPOTSWOOD W DEPT water safe to drink? ▼

SPOTSWOOD W DEPT (PWS ID: NJ1224001) has 87 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 8,300 people using Surface Water sources.

How many people does SPOTSWOOD W DEPT serve? ▼

SPOTSWOOD W DEPT serves 8,300 people in SPOTSWOOD, New Jersey. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 2,137 service connections.

What type of violations does SPOTSWOOD W DEPT have? ▼

SPOTSWOOD W DEPT has 87 total violations: 3 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 74 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.

Has PFAS been detected in SPOTSWOOD W DEPT water? ▼

Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in SPOTSWOOD W DEPT's water supply: PFPeA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxA, PFHxS. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.

What water source does SPOTSWOOD W DEPT use? ▼

SPOTSWOOD 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.

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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.

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