Water System Report NJ

Mountain Lakes Water Dep

EPA ID: NJ1425001 · 4,012 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Although compliance varies widely among water utilities nationally, Mountain Lakes Water Dep stands out with zero EPA violations over five consecutive monitoring years, delivering safe tap water to 4,012 residents and showing no enforcement activity across the entire reporting span.

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

D · 47
Avg Safety Score
4,012
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$397K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Mountain Lakes Water Dep Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$126,825
Median Household Income
16,263
Service Area Population
22%
Disadvantaged Population
23th
Poverty Percentile
27th
Energy Burden Percentile
69%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Mountain Lakes Water Dep serves a community with a median household income of $126,825 and an estimated 16,263 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% 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

Mountain Lakes Water Dep'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
57th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
83th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Morris 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 83th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

62 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
12 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 84% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 8 detections recorded. 3 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

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

B 3 violations
D 9 violations
B 0 violations
Stanhope W Department
3,730 people
D 14 violations
C 8 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $400
Total Estimated Cost $2,800

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

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

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,800 (one-time) vs. $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

MOUNTAIN LAKES WATER DEP (EPA ID: NJ1425001) is a community water system in New Jersey that serves approximately 4,012 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

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

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High 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 2 additional ZIPs 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 Mountain Lakes Water Dep (NJ1425001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mountain Lakes Water Dep water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Mountain Lakes Water Dep has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Mountain Lakes Water Dep serve?

Mountain Lakes Water Dep serves approximately 4,012 people across 3 ZIP codes in New Jersey.

Where does Mountain Lakes Water Dep 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
8
Latest sample
7/15/2025
Highest analyte
PFOA: 13.3 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOA 13.3 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFPeA 3 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:

1
Confirmed Lead
744
Galvanized — Replacement Required
110
Unknown Material
673
Confirmed Non-Lead

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: 4,012
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 Mountain Lakes Water Dep safe to drink?
Mountain Lakes Water Dep has a D safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Mountain Lakes Water Dep meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Mountain Lakes Water Dep serve?
Mountain Lakes Water Dep serves approximately 4,012 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Mountain Lakes Water Dep's water source?
Mountain Lakes Water Dep draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Mountain Lakes Water Dep's service area?
The Mountain Lakes Water Dep service area has a median household income of $126,825. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Mountain Lakes Water Dep get its water?
Mountain Lakes Water Dep'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

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

Mountain Lakes Water Dep (EPA ID: NJ1425001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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