Passaic, NJ Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Passaic, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern for NJ — health-based violations are on file in several areas, and checking the specific system serving your address is a practical first step for concerned residents.
How Passaic Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Passaic Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 90% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.71.
Water Systems Serving Passaic
Residential addresses in Passaic, NJ are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Passaic, New Jersey (population ~69,651), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 322,066 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Passaic — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Passaic: D (50/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Passaic water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Passaic
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07055 | D | Passaic Valley Water Commission | 310,483 |
All ZIP Codes in Passaic
- 07055 [D]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Passaic
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Passaic's Housing Stock?
With 90% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Passaic is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1901 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Passaic were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Passaic: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Passaic picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Passaic are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,200–$5,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 16% below the New Jersey average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Passaic
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 90% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Passaic.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Passaic
Flood exposure in Passaic is meaningful by NFIP measures — 139 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Passaic has a moderate flood history with 139 FEMA claims averaging $117,173 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$3,500</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Passaic
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 90% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Passaic, NJ