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Community Water System · PWS NJ1603001

Manchester Utilities Authority

Woodland Park, New Jersey 07424 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 12,000 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

12,000
People served
194
EPA violations
95
Health-based
4 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 194 drinking-water violations at Manchester Utilities Authority, 49% of them health-based - above the New Jersey per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 4 PFAS compounds.

194
Total EPA violations on record
49%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
12,000
People served by this system
4
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Manchester Utilities Authority

Manchester Utilities Authority is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 12,000 residents in Woodland Park, New Jersey (Passaic County) through 4,461 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 194 total violations for this system , of which 95 (49%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 88 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 TTHM, recorded in 76 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 4 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 11 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%).

Manchester Utilities Authority's 194 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

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

Population Served
12,000
Total Violations
194
Health-Based Violations
95
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
4,461
County
Passaic
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
95
Monitoring Violations
88
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
TTHM MCL 76 2024
Coliform (TCR) MCL 19 2015
Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 18 2025
Chlorine MR 11 2023
Lead and Copper Rule MR 7 2020
TTHM MR 6 2023
Chromium MR 4 1989
Mercury MR 4 1989
Barium MR 4 1989
Fluoride MR 4 1989
Selenium MR 4 1989
Arsenic MR 4 1989
Cadmium MR 4 1989
Nitrate MR 3 1989
Coliform (TCR) MR 3 1991
Endrin MR 2 1981
2,4-D MR 2 1981
Methoxychlor MR 2 1981
BHC-GAMMA MR 2 1981
2,4,5-TP MR 2 1981
Toxaphene MR 2 1981

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 14 of 116 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFTA 8/28/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/28/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/28/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/28/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 5/14/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 5/14/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 5/14/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 5/14/2025 5.80 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFHpS 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 5/14/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 5/14/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 5/14/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 5/14/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 5/14/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 5/14/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 5/14/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 5/14/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 5/14/2025 3.20 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMBA 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 5/14/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 5/14/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 5/14/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 5/14/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 5/14/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 5/14/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 2/19/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 2/19/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 2/19/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 2/19/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 2/19/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 2/19/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 2/19/2025 8.10 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFHpA 2/19/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 2/19/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 2/19/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 2/19/2025 4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFBA 2/19/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 2/19/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 2/19/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 2/19/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 2/19/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 2/19/2025 4.00 ppt 3.00 ppt 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 Manchester Utilities Authority.

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 NJ1603001 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 Manchester Utilities Authority 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 18 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 0200
2024 TTHM MCL 76 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 2950
2023 Chlorine MR 11 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 0999
2023 TTHM MR 6 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 2950
2020 Lead and Copper Rule MR 7 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 5000
2015 Coliform (TCR) MCL 19 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 3100
1991 Coliform (TCR) MR 3 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 3100
1989 Chromium MR 4 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 1020
1989 Mercury MR 4 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 1035
1989 Barium MR 4 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 1010
1989 Fluoride MR 4 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 1025
1989 Selenium MR 4 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 1045
1989 Arsenic MR 4 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 1005
1989 Cadmium MR 4 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 1015
1989 Nitrate MR 3 SDWIS / NJ1603001 / 1040

How Manchester Utilities Authority Compares

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

Metric Manchester Utilities Authority New Jersey avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 194 59.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 95 6.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 4 compounds 78.8% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 12,000 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 Manchester Utilities Authority water safe to drink?
Manchester Utilities Authority (PWS ID: NJ1603001) has 194 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 4 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 12,000 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Manchester Utilities Authority serve?
Manchester Utilities Authority serves 12,000 people in Woodland Park, New Jersey. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 4,461 service connections.
What type of violations does Manchester Utilities Authority have?
Manchester Utilities Authority has 194 total violations: 95 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 88 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Manchester Utilities Authority water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 4 PFAS compounds in Manchester Utilities Authority's water supply: PFOA, PFPeA, PFOS, PFHxA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Manchester Utilities Authority use?
Manchester Utilities Authority 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.