South River, NJ: 4 Health Violations - Home Safety 58/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for South River: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
South River, NJ holds a middle-tier grade; review the underlying water system records for the reasons behind it.
How South River Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
South River Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 22 violations since 2021.
- Homes built before 1986: 85% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,100 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.8.
Water Systems Serving South River
A single entry in the list below does not mean one utility serves all of South River, NJ: it means one system appears there, while federal records link 1 to the area. Service areas and ZIP codes do not line up exactly, so the utility named on a household's water bill is the one whose record applies to that home.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South River, New Jersey, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 16,007 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South River: C (58/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
South River water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08882 | C | 22 | 4 | South River W Department |
All ZIP Codes in South River
- 08882 [C] - 22 violations ⚠
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for South River
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in South River
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is South River's Housing Stock?
With 85% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
By Census estimates, roughly half or more of the homes in South River were built before 1986; the median build year is 1953.
Over half of homes in South River were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
South River: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Of the three cost-context tiers - low, moderate and elevated - South River is in the low one.
Estimated remediation costs in South River can be compared with local home values. The $600–$2,300 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 21% below the New Jersey average.
Protecting Children from Lead in South River
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for South River
Historical NFIP data for South River contains 433 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $38,358. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $1,100 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in South River
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Lead and Copper Rule, listed in the water-quality records for South River: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 85% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for South River, NJ