Ridgefield Park, NJ Water Safety: 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Ridgefield Park's water safety record falls below average in NJ — compliance violations span multiple service areas, and several systems have recorded exceedances that trigger federal notification requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
How Ridgefield Park Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ridgefield Park Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 96% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.21.
Water Systems Serving Ridgefield Park
Ridgefield Park, NJ is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey (population ~13,167), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 804,296 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ridgefield Park — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ridgefield Park: D (45/100)
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
Ridgefield Park water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ridgefield Park
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07660 | D | VEOLIA WATER NEW JERSEY HACKENSACK | 792,713 |
All ZIP Codes in Ridgefield Park
- 07660 [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 Ridgefield Park
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 Ridgefield Park's Housing Stock?
With 96% 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
Because the majority of Ridgefield Park's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1941 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Ridgefield Park 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.
Ridgefield Park: Remediation Cost in Perspective
What does remediation cost in financial context for Ridgefield Park homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Ridgefield Park are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 5% below the New Jersey average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ridgefield Park
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.
When older housing represents 96% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Ridgefield Park address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Ridgefield Park
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Ridgefield Park has accumulated 266 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Ridgefield Park has a moderate flood history with 266 FEMA claims averaging $15,344 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>$2,200</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 Ridgefield Park
- 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 96% 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 Ridgefield Park, NJ