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Community Water System · PWS NJ1708001

Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart.

Pennsville, New Jersey 08070 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 13,500 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

13,500
People served
556
EPA violations
15
Health-based
5 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 556 drinking-water violations at Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart., 3% of them health-based - above the New Jersey per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds.

556
Total EPA violations on record
3%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
13,500
People served by this system
5
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart.

Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 13,500 residents in Pennsville, New Jersey (Salem County) through 4,813 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 556 total violations for this system , of which 15 (3%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 496 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 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, recorded in 19 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 37 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%).

Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart.'s 556 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
13,500
Total Violations
556
Health-Based Violations
15
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
4,813
County
Salem
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
15
Monitoring Violations
496
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 19 2019
Xylenes, Total MR 19 2019
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 19 2019
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 19 2019
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 19 2019
Tetrachloroethylene MR 19 2019
Benzene MR 19 2019
Ethylbenzene MR 19 2019
Styrene MR 19 2019
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 19 2019
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 19 2019
Vinyl chloride MR 19 2019
CHLOROBENZENE MR 19 2019
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 19 2019
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 19 2019
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 19 2019
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 19 2019
Toluene MR 19 2019
Trichloroethylene MR 19 2019
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 19 2019
Carbon tetrachloride MR 19 2019
Coliform (TCR) MCL 14 2013
E. COLI MR 9 2023
TTHM MR 8 2020
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 8 2020
Nitrate MR 7 2018
Barium MR 6 1999
Cadmium MR 6 1999
Fluoride MR 6 1999
Arsenic MR 6 1999

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 22 of 174 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFMPA 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/9/2023 13.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFNA 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/9/2023 19.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFDA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/9/2023 24.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFUnA 8/9/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/9/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/9/2023 21.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMBA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/9/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/9/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/9/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/9/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/9/2023 10.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Detected
8:2 FTS 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/9/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 8/9/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/9/2023 3.50 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFDoA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/9/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/9/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/9/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 8/9/2023 <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 Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart..

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 NJ1708001 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 Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. 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 E. COLI MR 9 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 3014
2022 Revised Total Coliform Rule RPT 4 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 8000
2020 TTHM MR 8 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2950
2020 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 8 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2456
2019 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2378
2019 Xylenes, Total MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2955
2019 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2969
2019 trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2979
2019 1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2985
2019 Tetrachloroethylene MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2987
2019 Benzene MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2990
2019 Ethylbenzene MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2992
2019 Styrene MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2996
2019 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2380
2019 DICHLOROMETHANE MR 19 SDWIS / NJ1708001 / 2964

How Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. Compares

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

Metric Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. New Jersey avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 556 59.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 15 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 13,500 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 Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. water safe to drink? ▼
Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. (PWS ID: NJ1708001) has 556 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 13,500 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. serve? ▼
Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. serves 13,500 people in Pennsville, New Jersey. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 4,813 service connections.
What type of violations does Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. have? ▼
Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. has 556 total violations: 15 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 496 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart.'s water supply: PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. use? ▼
Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart. 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

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.