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Community Water System · PWS NJ1918004

Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk

Sparta, New Jersey 07871 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 17,625 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

17,625
People served
765
EPA violations
36
Health-based
7 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 765 drinking-water violations at Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk, 5% of them health-based - above the New Jersey per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds.

765
Total EPA violations on record
5%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
17,625
People served by this system
7
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk

Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 17,625 residents in Sparta, New Jersey (Sussex County) through 5,423 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 765 total violations for this system , of which 36 (5%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 692 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 64 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 7 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 14.4 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%).

Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk's 765 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

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

Population Served
17,625
Total Violations
765
Health-Based Violations
36
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
5,423
County
Sussex
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
15
Monitoring Violations
692
Treatment Tech Violations
21

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Nitrate MR 64 2020
Arsenic MR 31 2020
Barium MR 31 2020
Chromium MR 29 2020
Antimony, Total MR 29 2020
Selenium MR 29 2020
Cadmium MR 29 2020
Mercury MR 29 2020
Nickel MR 27 2020
CYANIDE MR 27 2020
Beryllium, Total MR 27 2020
Thallium, Total MR 27 2020
Fluoride MR 26 2002
Lead and Copper Rule TT 21 2023
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 12 2019
Xylenes, Total MR 12 2019
Vinyl chloride MR 12 2019
Carbon tetrachloride MR 12 2019
Trichloroethylene MR 12 2019
Tetrachloroethylene MR 12 2019
Benzene MR 12 2019
Toluene MR 12 2019
Ethylbenzene MR 12 2019
Styrene MR 12 2019
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 12 2019
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 12 2019
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 12 2019
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 12 2019
CHLOROBENZENE MR 12 2019
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 12 2019

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 85 of 754 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFHpS 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 6/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 6/13/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 6/13/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 6/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 6/13/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 6/13/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 6/13/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 6/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 6/13/2024 6.20 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFOA 6/13/2024 4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFDA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 6/13/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 6/13/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 6/13/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 6/13/2024 3.40 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFDA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 6/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 6/13/2024 4.60 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFEESA 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 6/13/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 6/13/2024 4.80 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
6:2 FTS 6/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 6/13/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 6/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 6/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 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 Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk.

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 NJ1918004 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 Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk 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 TT 21 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 5000
2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 8 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 7000
2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 3 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 8000
2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule RPT 2 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 8000
2022 Lead and Copper Rule MR 9 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 5000
2021 E. COLI MR 6 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 3014
2020 Nitrate MR 64 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1040
2020 Arsenic MR 31 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1005
2020 Barium MR 31 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1010
2020 Chromium MR 29 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1020
2020 Antimony, Total MR 29 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1074
2020 Selenium MR 29 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1045
2020 Cadmium MR 29 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1015
2020 Mercury MR 29 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1035
2020 Nickel MR 27 SDWIS / NJ1918004 / 1036

How Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk Compares

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

Metric Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk New Jersey avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 765 59.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 36 6.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 7 compounds 78.8% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 17,625 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 Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk water safe to drink?
Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk (PWS ID: NJ1918004) has 765 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 7 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 17,625 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk serve?
Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk serves 17,625 people in Sparta, New Jersey. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 5,423 service connections.
What type of violations does Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk have?
Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk has 765 total violations: 36 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 692 monitoring/reporting violations, and 21 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds in Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk's water supply: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBS, and others. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk use?
Sparta Twp Water Utility - Lake Mohawk 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.