01The verdict: is Plumstead Twp.-1523 water safe?
Plumstead Twp.-1523's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (69.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 3,495 residents using groundwater (wells).
25 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓12 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Plumstead Twp.-1523's drinking water received a grade of C+ (69.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 3,495 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 170 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 25 remain unresolved.
Plumstead Twp.-1523 ranks #284 out of 426 cities in New Jersey for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Plumstead Twp.-1523 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. The system has seen 12 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Plumstead Twp.-1523's water
Every contaminant flagged in Plumstead Twp.-1523, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in New Jersey
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in New Jersey
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Plumstead Twp.-1523's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 170 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 25 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 8 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Plumstead Twp.-1523's water comes from
Plumstead Twp.-1523's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
4 systems
4 water systems, operated under private ownership.
3,495 people
Residents served across Plumstead Twp.-1523's service area.
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 private ownership and serves approximately 3,495 people through 4 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJ AMERICAN WATER - NEW EGYPT | NJ1523003 | 3,495 | Groundwater |
| DEEP RUN ADULT VILLAGE | NJ1523002 | 400 | Groundwater |
| COLLIER MILLS MOBILE HOME PARK INC | NJ1523001 | 100 | Groundwater |
| OAK GROVE MHP | NJ1523004 | 100 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Plumstead Twp.-1523
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Plumstead Twp.-1523's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Monmouth County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Ocean County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Plumstead Twp.-1523 compares
Scores for nearby New Jersey cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New Jersey average (72/100)
Plumstead Twp.-1523 scores 69.5/100 — on par with the New Jersey average of 72/100. Full New Jersey rankings →
72.3 / 100BBergenfield Boro-0203, NJ
72.3 / 100BBogota Boro-0204, NJ
72.3 / 100BCarlstadt Boro-0205, NJ
72.3 / 100BCliffside Park Boro-0206, NJ
72.3 / 100BCloster Boro-0207, NJ
72.3 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Plumstead Twp.-1523's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Plumstead Twp.-1523's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Plumstead Twp.-1523 alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Plumstead Twp.-1523, NJ tap water safe to drink?
Plumstead Twp.-1523's water quality earned a grade of C+ (69.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #284 out of 426 cities tested in New Jersey.
What contaminants are in Plumstead Twp.-1523's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 170 violations are on record.
How is Plumstead Twp.-1523'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 Plumstead Twp.-1523?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Plumstead Twp.-1523's water come from?
Plumstead Twp.-1523's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 3,495 residents.
What health violations has Plumstead Twp.-1523's water system had?
Plumstead Twp.-1523 has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 25 violations remain unresolved.
Is Plumstead Twp.-1523's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Plumstead Twp.-1523 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 170 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 Plumstead Twp.-1523's water compare to other cities?
Plumstead Twp.-1523 ranks #284 out of 426 cities in New Jersey (better than 33% of state cities) and #10753 out of 15382 cities nationally (30th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.