Monitoring Violations NJ

Hopatcong Water Department

EPA ID: NJ1912001 · 7,224 people served · 2 ZIP codes

The EPA enforcement database lists 2 active violations for Hopatcong Water Department — a provider that delivers drinking water to approximately 7,224 people and has not yet formally resolved those findings.

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

D · 53
Avg Safety Score
7,224
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
6
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00751 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
4
Contaminants Flagged
$326K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$118,475
Median Household Income
19,807
Service Area Population
2%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
90%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Hopatcong Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $118,475 and an estimated 19,807 residents across its service area. Approximately 90% 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

Hopatcong 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
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Sussex 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 70th 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
3 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 95% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Hopatcong Water Department compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

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.

Lead and Copper Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 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. 13 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 →

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

0 violations
C 3 violations
Milltown W Department
7,000 people
C 21 violations
0 violations
D 23 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 $600
Total Estimated Cost $3,000

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 $3,000 (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

Hopatcong Water Department (EPA ID: NJ1912001) is a community water system in New Jersey that serves approximately 7,224 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: D (53/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
April 11, 2025 Total Coliform Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 12, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Total Coliform Microbiological 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 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
07843 0.00751 mg/L No N/A

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: 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 Hopatcong Water Department (NJ1912001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hopatcong Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Hopatcong Water Department serve?

Hopatcong Water Department serves approximately 7,224 people across 2 ZIP codes in New Jersey.

Where does Hopatcong Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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.

Samples collected
381
Detections
23
Latest sample
9/15/2025
Highest analyte
PFBA: 11.6 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 11.6 ppt
PFPeA 10.3 ppt
PFOA 9.9 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxA 9 ppt
PFBS 7.7 ppt
PFHpA 3.9 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
714
Unknown Material
1,246
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 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 7,224
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 Hopatcong Water Department safe to drink?
Hopatcong Water Department has a D safety grade based on 6 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Hopatcong Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Lead and Copper Rule, Total Coliform, Stage 1 DBP Rule. 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 Hopatcong Water Department serve?
Hopatcong Water Department serves approximately 7,224 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Hopatcong Water Department's water source?
Hopatcong Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Hopatcong Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00751 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Hopatcong Water Department's service area?
The Hopatcong Water Department service area has a median household income of $118,475. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Hopatcong Water Department get its water?
Hopatcong 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

Hopatcong Water Department (EPA ID: NJ1912001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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