Paterson, NJ Water Safety: 51/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Paterson, NJ shows a low safety grade — health-based violations appear across a meaningful share of service areas in current EPA records.
How Paterson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Paterson, NJ
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Paterson score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Paterson Water
- Homes built before 1986: 85% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,121 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.71.
Who Supplies Your Water in Paterson
3 water systems are tracked federally in Paterson, NJ. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Paterson, New Jersey (population ~157,626), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 341,376 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Paterson — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Paterson: D (51/100)
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
Paterson water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Paterson
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07501 | D | Passaic Valley Water Commission | 310,483 |
| 07502 | D | Passaic Valley Water Commission | 310,483 |
| 07503 | C | PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION | 310,483 |
| 07504 | C | PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION | 310,483 |
| 07505 | D | Passaic Valley Water Commission | 310,483 |
| 07509 | C | HAWTHORNE WATER DEPARTMENT | 19,458 |
| 07510 | D | HAWTHORNE WATER DEPARTMENT | 19,458 |
| 07513 | C | PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION | 310,483 |
| 07514 | D | Passaic Valley Water Commission | 310,483 |
| 07522 | D | Passaic Valley Water Commission | 310,483 |
All ZIP Codes in Paterson
- 07501 [D]
- 07502 [D]
- 07503 [C]
- 07504 [C]
- 07505 [D]
- 07509 [C]
- 07510 [D]
- 07513 [C]
- 07514 [D]
- 07522 [D]
- 07524 [D]
- 07533 [D]
- 07543 [D]
- 07544 [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.
Health Outcomes in Paterson
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Paterson
With 85% 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
What does a median build year of 1937 mean for water safety in Paterson? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Paterson 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Paterson Homeowners
Within the Paterson market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Paterson are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,329–$3,179 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 28% below the New Jersey average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Paterson
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.
If 85% of the Paterson inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Paterson
Decades of documented flood activity appear in Paterson's NFIP record — 1337 insurance claims filed and 79% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood designations. The scale of that record puts water infrastructure vulnerability from flooding into the concrete-risk category.
Paterson has a significant flood history with 1,337 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $42,386 per claim. With 79% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,121</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 Paterson
- 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 85% 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 Paterson, NJ