Water Quality Report · Updated October 07, 2026
PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION
PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION delivers tap water graded F (47/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 310,483 residents in LITTLE FALLS TWP.-1605, New Jersey using surface water. The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 973-340-4307.
Is LITTLE FALLS TWP.-1605 tap water safe to drink?
PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION delivers tap water that earns a grade of F (47/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — a poor rating, with significant contamination concerns and/or recent violations.
The utility serves 310,483 residents in LITTLE FALLS TWP.-1605, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 16 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Bromodichloromethane, Trichloroacetic acid, Chloroform, Dichloroacetic acid, Dibromochloromethane, Nitrate, Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Chromium (hexavalent), Bromate, Dibromoacetic acid. For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
EPA compliance record
Official U.S. EPA records for PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION (system ID NJ1605002) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.
| Rule | Type | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Missed testing or reporting | 07/01/2025 | Open |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Other (e.g. public notice) | 07/01/2023 | Open |
| Synthetic Organic Chemicals | Missed testing or reporting | 07/01/2023 | Open |
Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.
Quick actions for LITTLE FALLS TWP.-1605 residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION.
PFAS contamination
Severe concernPerfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernPerfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) detected at 1.88 ppt, 1882x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 29.9 ppb, 498x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 43.1 ppb, 287x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for LITTLE FALLS TWP.-1605
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Filter certified for PFOA/PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58)
$180-$750Reverse osmosis and some carbon block filters reduce PFAS. Look for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS.
Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)
$180-$599Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 47/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) PFAS |
8.11 ppt | 0.09 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 0.007 | — | EPA violation |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
5.38 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | EPA violation |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) PFAS |
1.88 ppt | 0.001 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 1882× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
29.9 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 498× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
43.1 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 287× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
25.2 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 252× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
9.23 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 154× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
10.8 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 108× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
30.3 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 76× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
12.0 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 60× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
3.22 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 32× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
1.14 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 8.2× over |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) PFAS |
0.04 ppt | 0.006 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 6.7× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0689 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 3.4× over |
| Bromate Disinfection byproduct |
0.314 ppb | 0.1 | 10.0 | 10 | 10 | 0.1 | — | 3.1× over |
| Dibromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.0899 ppb | 0.03 | — | — | — | — | — | 3.0× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
208.0 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Bromoform Disinfection byproduct |
0.12 ppb | 0.5 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane Semi-volatile organic compound |
0.035 ppb | 0.35 | — | — | 50 | 1 | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
9.25 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
2.25 ppb | 53.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Aluminum Heavy metal |
22.1 ppb | 600.0 | — | 200 | — | 600 | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
19.0 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
5.02 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) PFAS |
4.15 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.07 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) PFAS |
3.2 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.0637 ppb | 25.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Semi-volatile organic compound |
0.0075 ppb | 3.0 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 2,4-D Pesticide/Herbicide |
0.0461 ppb | 20.0 | 70.0 | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) PFAS |
2.05 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) PFAS |
1.23 ppt | 2000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0969 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.0192 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Testosterone Other |
0.243 ppt | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION service area
This water system serves 1 community in Passaic County, New Jersey. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for LITTLE FALLS TWP.-1605 water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.