Water Quality Report · Updated October 07, 2026
RIDGEWOOD WATER
RIDGEWOOD WATER delivers tap water graded F (42/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 61,700 residents in RIDGEWOOD TWP-0251, New Jersey using surface water (purchased). The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline; Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) significantly above health guideline; Arsenic significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 201-670-5521.
Is RIDGEWOOD TWP-0251 tap water safe to drink?
RIDGEWOOD WATER delivers tap water that earns a grade of F (42/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — a poor rating, with significant contamination concerns and/or recent violations.
The utility serves 61,700 residents in RIDGEWOOD TWP-0251, drawing from surface water (purchased).
Public testing data identifies 20 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Arsenic, Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Bromodichloromethane, Dibromoacetic acid, Nitrate, Nitrate and nitrite, Dibromochloromethane, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent), Trichloroacetic acid, Dichloroacetic acid, Radium, combined (-226 and -228), Bromoform. 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 RIDGEWOOD WATER (system ID NJ0251001) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.
| Rule | Type | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Water Rule | Missed testing or reporting | 06/01/2023 | Open |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Other (e.g. public notice) | 07/01/2025 | Open |
| Nitrate Rule | Missed testing or reporting | 01/01/2024 | Open |
| Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule | Missed testing or reporting | 12/01/2023 | Open |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Missed testing or reporting | 09/01/2023 | Open |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Missed testing or reporting | 07/01/2023 | Open |
| Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule | Other (e.g. public notice) | 03/02/2022 | 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 RIDGEWOOD TWP-0251 residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for RIDGEWOOD WATER.
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 3.32 ppt, 3320x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernPerfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detected at 20.7 ppt, 230x above the EWG health guideline of 0.09 ppt.
Arsenic significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernArsenic detected at 0.857 ppb, 214x above the EWG health guideline of 0.004 ppb.
Contact RIDGEWOOD WATER
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 RIDGEWOOD TWP-0251
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.
Reverse osmosis certified for arsenic (NSF/ANSI 58)
$429-$599Reverse osmosis certified under NSF/ANSI 58 for arsenic is the most reliable home option.
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 42/100 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 |
20.7 ppt | 0.09 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 0.007 | — | EPA violation |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
8.54 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | EPA violation |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) PFAS |
3.32 ppt | 0.001 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 3320× over |
| Arsenic Heavy metal |
0.857 ppb | 0.004 | 10.0 | 10 | 10 | 0.004 | — | 214× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
22.7 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 151× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
6.87 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 115× over |
| Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS) PFAS |
0.083 ppt | 0.001 | — | — | — | — | — | 83× over |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) PFAS |
0.492 ppt | 0.006 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 82× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
7.69 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 77× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
3.78 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 63× over |
| Dibromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
1.65 ppb | 0.03 | — | — | — | — | — | 55× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
4.2 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 30× over |
| Nitrate and nitrite Inorganic |
4.2 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 30× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
2.27 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 23× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
7.91 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 20× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.398 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 20× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
1.93 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 19× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
3.55 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 18× over |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) Radiological |
0.67 pCi/L | 0.05 | 5.0 | — | — | — | — | 13× over |
| Bromoform Disinfection byproduct |
1.31 ppb | 0.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 2.6× over |
| Uranium Radiological |
0.33 pCi/L | 0.43 | 20.0 | 30 | 30 | 0.43 | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
381.7 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
70.9 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane Semi-volatile organic compound |
0.0433 ppb | 0.35 | — | — | 50 | 1 | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.72 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
2.38 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.557 ppb | 25.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) PFAS |
8.45 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) Volatile organic compound |
0.00046 ppb | 0.06 | 5.0 | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
5.52 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) PFAS |
5.49 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) PFAS |
4.5 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) PFAS |
2.84 ppt | 2000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Aluminum Heavy metal |
0.847 ppb | 600.0 | — | 200 | — | 600 | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.336 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 1,1-Dichloroethane Volatile organic compound |
7.1e-05 ppb | 3.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Chlorodifluoromethane Other |
0.00563 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Chromium (total) Heavy metal |
0.974 ppb | — | 100.0 | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.00157 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Lithium Other |
2.36 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrite Inorganic |
0.00214 ppm | — | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | 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.
RIDGEWOOD WATER service area
This water system serves 1 community in Bergen County, New Jersey. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for RIDGEWOOD TWP-0251 water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.