Is Pennington Boro-1108, NJ Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C-, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
57.1/100
waterverge.com Pennington Boro-1108, NJ — Water Quality Report
Pennington Boro-1108's drinking water received a grade of C- (57.1 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,600 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 419 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
What to know about Pennington Boro-1108's water
Pennington Boro-1108 ranks #351 out of 435 cities in New Jersey for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Pennington Boro-1108 relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Pennington Boro-1108 may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Pennington Boro-1108, NJ water safe to drink?
Pennington Boro-1108's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (57.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,600 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Pennington Boro-1108
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pennington Boro-1108's water quality assessment. Grade: C- (57.1/100).
Contaminants: E. COLI.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Contaminants: E. COLI.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4614). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3573). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Pennington Boro-1108's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Pennington Boro-1108's water system has 419 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Mercer County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Neshanic River At Reaville, Stony Brook At Princeton, Pike Run At Belle Mead, Del And Rar Ca Feeder At Washington Crossing, Del And Rar Fdr Ca At Perdicaris Pl At Trenton.
Where does Pennington Boro-1108's water come from?
Pennington Boro-1108's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,600 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Neshanic River At Reaville (river), Stony Brook At Princeton (river), Pike Run At Belle Mead (river), Del And Rar Ca Feeder At Washington Crossing (stream), Del And Rar Fdr Ca At Perdicaris Pl At Trenton (stream).
What Pennington Boro-1108 residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Pennington Boro-1108's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Pennington Boro-1108's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtMercer County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Mercer County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Pennington Boro-1108 compares by contaminant
Explore where Pennington Boro-1108 ranks among all New Jersey cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Pennington Boro-1108's water comes from
Pennington Boro-1108's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,600 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Pennington Boro-1108
Pennington Boro-1108 is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Pennington Boro-1108
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PENNINGTON W DEPT | NJ1108001 | 2,600 | GW |
How Pennington Boro-1108 compares
Full New Jersey rankings →Pennington Boro-1108's score of 57.1/100 is below the average of 63/100 among major New Jersey cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View New Jersey rankings →About Pennington Boro-1108, NJ
Wikipedia →Pennington is a borough in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough is located at the cross-roads between the Delaware Valley region to the southwest and the Raritan Valley region to the northeast. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 2,802, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 217 (+8.4%) from the 2010 census count of 2,585, which in turn had reflected a decline of 111 (−4.1%) from the 2,696 counted in the 2000 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Pennington Boro-1108's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Mercer
Frequently asked questions
Is Pennington Boro-1108, NJ tap water safe to drink?
Pennington Boro-1108's water quality earned a grade of C- (57.1/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #351 out of 435 cities tested in New Jersey.
What contaminants are in Pennington Boro-1108's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 419 violations are on record.
How is Pennington Boro-1108's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Pennington Boro-1108?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Pennington Boro-1108's water come from?
Pennington Boro-1108's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,600 residents.
Is Pennington Boro-1108's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Pennington Boro-1108 uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 419 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Pennington Boro-1108's water compare to other cities?
Pennington Boro-1108 ranks #351 out of 435 cities in New Jersey (better than 19% of state cities) and #12397 out of 15744 cities nationally (21th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Pennington Boro-1108's small water system affect quality?
Pennington Boro-1108's system serves approximately 2,600 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 419 violations on record.