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Community Water System · PWS NJ2004002

NJ American Water - Raritan

Brtidgewater, New Jersey 08807 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 615,430 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

615,430
People served
601
EPA violations
4
Health-based
6 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 601 drinking-water violations at NJ American Water - Raritan, 1% of them health-based - above the New Jersey per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 6 PFAS compounds.

601
Total EPA violations on record
1%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
615,430
People served by this system
6
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: NJ American Water - Raritan

NJ American Water - Raritan is a private-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 615,430 residents in Brtidgewater, New Jersey (Union County) through 205,035 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 601 total violations for this system , of which 4 (1%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 575 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2017.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, recorded in 23 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 6 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 7.5 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%).

NJ American Water - Raritan's 601 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

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

Population Served
615,430
Total Violations
601
Health-Based Violations
4
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Private
Connections
205,035
County
Union
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
0
Monitoring Violations
575
Treatment Tech Violations
4

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 23 2005
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 23 2005
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 23 2005
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 23 2005
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 23 2005
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 23 2005
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 23 2005
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 23 2005
Benzene MR 23 2005
Toluene MR 23 2005
Styrene MR 23 2005
Xylenes, Total MR 23 2005
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 23 2005
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 23 2005
Trichloroethylene MR 23 2005
Tetrachloroethylene MR 23 2005
CHLOROBENZENE MR 23 2005
Ethylbenzene MR 23 2005
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 23 2005
Vinyl chloride MR 23 2005
Carbon tetrachloride MR 23 2005
Barium MR 7 2004
Cadmium MR 7 2004
Chromium MR 7 2004
CYANIDE MR 7 2004
Mercury MR 7 2004
Antimony, Total MR 7 2004
Beryllium, Total MR 7 2004
Thallium, Total MR 7 2004
Selenium MR 7 2004

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 19 of 522 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFMPA 8/27/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/27/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/27/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/27/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/27/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/27/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/27/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/27/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/27/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/27/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/27/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/27/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/27/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 8/27/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/27/2024 5.30 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFOA 8/27/2024 5.70 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFDA 8/27/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 8/27/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 8/21/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/21/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/21/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/21/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/21/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/21/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/21/2024 6.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFBA 8/21/2024 5.70 ppt 5.00 ppt Detected
PFNA 8/21/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/21/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/21/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/21/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/21/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/21/2024 4.10 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFHxA 8/21/2024 3.60 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
6:2 FTS 8/21/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/21/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/21/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/21/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/21/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/21/2024 <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 NJ American Water - Raritan.

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 NJ2004002 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 NJ American Water - Raritan 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
2017 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 4 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 0300
2017 E. COLI MR 3 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 3014
2011 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 2 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 7000
2010 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 4 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 0300
2005 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2378
2005 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2380
2005 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2977
2005 trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2979
2005 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2980
2005 1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2981
2005 1,2-Dichloropropane MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2983
2005 1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2985
2005 Benzene MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2990
2005 Toluene MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2991
2005 Styrene MR 23 SDWIS / NJ2004002 / 2996

How NJ American Water - Raritan Compares

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

Metric NJ American Water - Raritan New Jersey avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 601 59.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 4 6.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 6 compounds 78.8% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 615,430 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 NJ American Water - Raritan water safe to drink?
NJ American Water - Raritan (PWS ID: NJ2004002) has 601 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 6 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 615,430 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does NJ American Water - Raritan serve?
NJ American Water - Raritan serves 615,430 people in Brtidgewater, New Jersey. It is a Private-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 205,035 service connections.
What type of violations does NJ American Water - Raritan have?
NJ American Water - Raritan has 601 total violations: 4 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 575 monitoring/reporting violations, and 4 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in NJ American Water - Raritan water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 6 PFAS compounds in NJ American Water - Raritan's water supply: PFOS, PFOA, PFBA, PFHxA, PFPeA, and others. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does NJ American Water - Raritan use?
NJ American Water - Raritan 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.