Historical Compliance Records NJ 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Perth Amboy Water Department

EPA ID: NJ1216001 · 52,328 people served · 1 ZIP code

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Perth Amboy Water Department (NJ1216001): 3 past health-based violations, since resolved. Over the past five years, Perth Amboy Water Department recorded 7 violations, all subsequently resolved through the EPA enforcement process - the supplier currently operates in good standing, with no active actions on file for its 52,328 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS

C · 64
Avg Safety Score
52,328
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
7
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged
$341K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary - Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$60,464
Median Household Income
58,264
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
20th
Energy Burden Percentile
77%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Perth Amboy Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $60,464 and an estimated 58,264 residents across its service area. Approximately 77% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Perth Amboy Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
90th
Superfund Site Proximity

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 90th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

72 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Perth Amboy Water Department compares to EPA limits

Selenium 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.05 mg/L
Hair & nail loss, nerve damage, liver & kidney damage
Gross Beta 1 pCi/L (2% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 50 pCi/L

What This Means For You

Selenium at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.05 mg/L. Hair & nail loss, nerve damage, liver & kidney damage. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Gross Alpha at 3 pCi/L exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L. Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Radium-226 at 1 pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L). Bone cancer and leukemia (known carcinogen). Consider ion exchange (water softener) filtration.

Radium-228 at 1 pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L). Bone cancer and leukemia (known carcinogen). Consider ion exchange (water softener) filtration.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 7 detections recorded. 3 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds 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 →

Selenium was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in New Jersey

Hoboken Water Utility
52,000 people
C 1 violation
10 violations
D 5 violations
C 9 violations
Township of Wayne
55,000 people
C 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $2,500
PFAS Treatment $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $3,800

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure - Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,800 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

Perth Amboy Water Department (EPA ID: NJ1216001) is a community water system in New Jersey that serves approximately 52,328 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 08861 in Perth Amboy.

ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: C (64/100)

This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 1 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.

Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.

Violation History

No current noncompliance in the accepted 2026Q2 snapshot. The 7 records in the 2021-2026 window are classified as resolved or archived, not current.

Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 4 resolved, 3 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2026 Gross Alpha Health-based Archived
October 1, 2025 Gross Alpha Health-based Archived
July 1, 2025 Gross Alpha Health-based Archived
January 1, 2024 Selenium Non-health-based Resolved
October 1, 2023 Radium-228 Non-health-based Resolved
October 1, 2023 Radium-226 Non-health-based Resolved
October 1, 2023 Gross Beta Non-health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Gross Alpha Radionuclides 3 Yes
Selenium Inorganic 1 No
Gross Beta Radionuclides 1 No
Radium-226 Radionuclides 1 No
Radium-228 Radionuclides 1 No

Health Risk Details

Gross Alpha Particle Activity (EPA limit: pCi/L)

Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles At-risk groups: long-term residents in areas with uranium or radium-rich geology, people on private wells in western US.

Removal methods: reverse osmosis, ion exchange (anion exchange for radium), lime softening. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:

Lead Level Exceeds Action Level Sample Date
0 mg/L No N/A

No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.

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: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by NJ or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Perth Amboy Water Department (NJ1216001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Perth Amboy Water Department water safe to drink?

The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Perth Amboy Water Department; its 7 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.

How many people does Perth Amboy Water Department serve?

Perth Amboy Water Department serves approximately 52,328 people across 1 ZIP code in New Jersey.

Where does Perth Amboy Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
116
Detections
23
Latest sample
1/31/2025
Highest analyte
PFOA: 19 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOA 19 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
HFPO-DA 14 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFPeA 5.3 ppt
PFBA 5.1 ppt
PFOS 4.9 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxA 4.4 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 →

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Perth Amboy Water Department safe to drink?
Perth Amboy Water Department has a C safety grade based on 7 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits - independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Perth Amboy Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Selenium, Gross Alpha, Radium-226, Radium-228. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 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 Perth Amboy Water Department serve?
Perth Amboy Water Department serves approximately 52,328 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Perth Amboy Water Department's water source?
Perth Amboy Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Perth Amboy Water Department's service area?
The Perth Amboy Water Department service area has a median household income of $60,464. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Perth Amboy Water Department get its water?
Perth Amboy Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on the exported violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is classified as elevated.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Perth Amboy Water Department (NJ): 3 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/nj1216001/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-nj1216001,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Perth Amboy Water Department (NJ): 3 Health Violations}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/nj1216001/}
}

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

Perth Amboy Water Department (EPA ID: NJ1216001) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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