South River W Department
EPA ID: NJ1223001 · 16,000 people served · 1 ZIP code
Federal data shows 9 unresolved violations at South River W Department — roughly 16,000 residents in the service area.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 2 (2023) to 3 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for South River W Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The South River W Department serves a community with a median household income of $101,853 and an estimated 16,007 residents across its service area. Approximately 85% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
South River W 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.
About 1% of homes in Middlesex 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 90th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How South River W Department compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
E. coli at 5 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 5 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Lead 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
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
South River W Department (EPA ID: NJ1223001) is a community water system in New Jersey that serves approximately 16,000 people from surface water sources.
This system serves ZIP code 08882 in South River.
Average Home Safety Score: D (47/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2025 | E. coli | Health-based | Unresolved |
| May 29, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | E. coli | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | E. coli | Health-based | Unresolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2024 | E. coli | Health-based | Unresolved |
| February 12, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2023 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 1, 2023 | E. coli | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Lead | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 5 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
E. coli (EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action))
Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children At-risk groups: children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women.
Removal methods: UV disinfection (99.99%), chlorination, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08882 | 0.00254 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 FilterFree 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.
- 08882 — South River
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for South River W Department (NJ1223001) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South River W Department water safe to drink?
South River W Department has recorded 6 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does South River W Department serve?
South River W Department serves approximately 16,000 people across 1 ZIP code in New Jersey.
Where does South River W Department get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
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 →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
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
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
South River W Department (EPA ID: NJ1223001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.