Monitoring Violations NJ

Oakland Water Department

EPA ID: NJ0242001 · 12,754 people served · 2 ZIP codes

EPA compliance records for Oakland Water Department show 1 unresolved violation — findings that remain open and are tracked at the federal level, covering a service territory of approximately 12,754 people.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 61
Avg Safety Score
12,754
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00332 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged
$893K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Oakland Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$196,974
Median Household Income
23,711
Service Area Population
10%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
20th
Energy Burden Percentile
74%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Oakland Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $196,974 and an estimated 23,711 residents across its service area. Approximately 74% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Oakland Water Department's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
80th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Bergen County, New Jersey rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

56 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
12 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 82% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Oakland Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 16 detections recorded. 4 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 4 exceed state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.014 ppt, PFOS: 0.013 ppt, PFNA: 0.013 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in New Jersey

D 4 violations
Mantua Township Mua
12,600 people
C 14 violations
Berlin Water Department
12,991 people
B 2 violations
Clinton W Department
12,500 people
D 13 violations
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $2,200

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,200 (one-time) vs. $5,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

OAKLAND WATER DEPT (EPA ID: NJ0242001) is a community water system in New Jersey that serves approximately 12,754 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (61/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

2 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
May 27, 2025 Total Coliform Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Coliform Microbiological 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
07436 0.00332 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Oakland Water Department (NJ0242001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oakland Water Department water safe to drink?

Oakland Water Department has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Oakland Water Department serve?

Oakland Water Department serves approximately 12,754 people across 2 ZIP codes in New Jersey.

Where does Oakland Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Above Current MCL

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). One or more PFAS compounds were measured above the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
203
Detections
34
Latest sample
11/28/2023
Highest analyte
PFOS: 23 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOS 23 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFOA 22 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFBS 15 ppt
PFPeA 8.4 ppt
PFHxA 8.1 ppt
PFBA 6.2 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
4,802
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 12,754
Reported to New Jersey

Source: NJDEP Public Community Water Purveyor SLI · Submitted 2024

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Oakland Water Department safe to drink?
Oakland Water Department has a C safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Oakland Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Coliform, Revised Total Coliform Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Oakland Water Department serve?
Oakland Water Department serves approximately 12,754 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Oakland Water Department's water source?
Oakland Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Oakland Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00332 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Oakland Water Department's service area?
The Oakland Water Department service area has a median household income of $196,974. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Oakland Water Department get its water?
Oakland Water Department's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Oakland Water Department (EPA ID: NJ0242001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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