Passaic County, New Jersey has about 526,597 residents (Census 2024 estimate) and 29 community water systems in EPA records. The largest local system is Passaic Valley Water Commission, serving about 310,483 people from surface water.
! 1 of 6 largest systems with health-based violationsPFAS detected at 6 of 6 sampled systemsHardness 106–242 mg/L, varies by area
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
How hard is Passaic County water?
Passaic Valley Water CommissionMeasured (utility report, 2025) · High confidence
106–242 mg/L(varies by area; no single average published)
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
At this hardness most homes don't need a softener. Confirm with a test strip if you see scale.
Largest water systems in Passaic County
The 6 biggest of 29 community water systems on EPA records for this county. Service areas don't follow county lines; your water bill names your provider.
Passaic Valley Water Commission
NJ1605002 · serves about 310,483 people · Surface water
✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (8 types)
Lead 90th percentile: 1.6 ppb (period starting 2026-01-01). Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
PFPeA: highest sample 11.9 ppt (3 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFOA: highest sample 11.5 ppt (4 of 4 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFHxA: highest sample 9.6 ppt (3 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFOS: highest sample 7.7 ppt (3 of 4 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFBA: highest sample 7.2 ppt (3 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFBS: highest sample 3.9 ppt (3 of 4 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
PFHpA: highest sample 3.2 ppt (2 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFHxS: highest sample 3.2 ppt (2 of 4 samples); federal limit 10.0 ppt as a running annual average, also counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit (currently in effect; EPA has proposed removing it)
NJ0712001 · serves about 217,230 people · Surface water
✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (7 types)
Lead 90th percentile: 3 ppb (period starting 2026-01-01). Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
PFPeA: highest sample 27.5 ppt (10 of 30 samples); no federal limit
PFHxA: highest sample 11.2 ppt (7 of 30 samples); no federal limit
PFOA: highest sample 9.1 ppt (16 of 30 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFBA: highest sample 6.5 ppt (4 of 30 samples); no federal limit
PFOS: highest sample 6.1 ppt (3 of 30 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFHxS: highest sample 3.6 ppt (2 of 30 samples); federal limit 10.0 ppt as a running annual average, also counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit (currently in effect; EPA has proposed removing it)
PFBS: highest sample 3.1 ppt (2 of 30 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
A PFAS detection is not a violation. Federal limits (4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS) apply to running annual averages, with compliance required by 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed extending the PFOA/PFOS deadline to 2031 and removing other PFAS limits; not final as of 2026-10-21.
Test your own tap
These are public records for whole systems. Your home's pipes, fixtures and any private well can change what you drink. A certified lab test or a hardness test strip gives you your own numbers. Then use our PFAS and lead filter selector to see which certifications to look for.
Common questions about Passaic County water
Is tap water in Passaic County safe to drink?
1 of the 6 largest systems here have at least one health-based violation in EPA records since October 2021 (see each system below for status). Passaic Valley Water Commission's most recent lead 90th percentile was 1.6 ppb (2026), below the 15 ppb action level. Public records can't guarantee what comes out of your tap, especially with older plumbing, so a home test is the surest check.
How hard is the water in Passaic County?
Passaic Valley Water Commission reports hardness from 106 to 242 mg/L depending on where you live, with no single system-wide average, so check your area in its report or test your water.
Is there PFAS in Passaic County water?
6 of the 6 sampled systems listed here detected at least one PFAS in EPA's UCMR 5 testing, and 10 results were above the level of a federal limit in at least one sample. A detection isn't a violation: federal PFAS limits apply to running annual averages starting in 2029.
Which water system serves my address in Passaic County?
Most homes are served by Passaic Valley Water Commission or one of the other systems listed on this page, but service areas don't follow county lines. Your water bill names your provider, and its annual Consumer Confidence Report has the full test results.
Data as of October 21, 2026. Figures are copied from public records and combined with our own calculations; they can be out of date or wrong. Tapped Out isn't affiliated with any utility or the EPA. Written and reviewed by the Tapped Out team. How we calculate · All sources.