Is Paterson tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Paterson's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

77/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
4.5 GPG
Hardness
Unknown
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Paterson

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Paterson

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.4 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Paterson
New Jersey

75,010,750,207,503 · Passaic River

Paterson, NJ Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 145,233 residents
77
Purity Score

Health Insights

  • 1
    PFAS testing data is limited for Paterson. Residents concerned about exposure may want to test independently.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Paterson's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

77 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Paterson tap water is sourced from Passaic River and treated by Passaic Valley Water Commission. Overall purity score: 77/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

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Paterson Water FAQ

Is Paterson NJ tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Paterson tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 77/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Paterson NJ use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Paterson uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 2.0 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Paterson NJ water and what is the TDS level?
Paterson water hardness is 4.5 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 160 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Paterson NJ drinking water?
PFAS testing data for Paterson is incomplete or pending under EPA UCMR5 monitoring. Check your utility CCR report for the latest results. A certified filter provides precautionary protection.
What is the best water filter for Paterson?
Based on Paterson's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Paterson has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Passaic Valley Water Commission CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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