New Jersey
Paulsboro
PFAS detected in your water, but all levels are below 50% of federal limits.
- Population served
- 6.1K
- Systems tested
- 1
- Compounds detected
- 29
- Above federal limits
- 0
Source: EPA UCMR 5 · Samples collected 2023–2026
What was found in Paulsboro’s water
PAULSBORO WATER DEPARTMENT
Serves 6.1K people · GW
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
About PFAS contamination in Paulsboro
## Summary Paulsboro's municipal water system earned a B grade, indicating generally acceptable water quality with some areas of concern worth monitoring. No detected compounds were found to exceed their respective EPA limits or New Jersey's stricter state standards. Only one compound — PFPeA — was measured at a detectable level of 6.1 parts per trillion, though no federal limit currently exists for that specific chemical. The contamination is attributed to industrial sources in the area.
## What the data shows Of the 15 PFAS compounds tested, only PFPeA returned a reported concentration, coming in at 6.1 parts per trillion. The remaining 14 compounds — including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFHxS, all of which carry EPA limits — showed no reported detectable concentrations. Because PFPeA has no established federal or state limit, its presence cannot be evaluated against a regulatory threshold. New Jersey holds the strictest PFAS standards in the nation, including a 13 ppt limit for PFNA and a 14 ppt limit for PFOA, and Paulsboro's results fall within compliance on all regulated compounds.
## What residents should know Paulsboro's water is subject to New Jersey's rigorous PFAS standards — the toughest in the country — which provides an additional layer of protection beyond federal requirements. Residents concerned about the detected PFPeA or the industrial contamination source in the area should contact the Paulsboro Water Department directly for the most current testing results and any updates on monitoring efforts. Water quality data can change, and staying in contact with your local utility is the best way to remain informed.
About this summary: Narrative text on this page was drafted by an AI model (claude-sonnet-4-6) from EPA UCMR 5 data and reviewed before publication. The numeric data above is reported by water utilities directly to the EPA. If you spot an error, email data@checkyourwater.org.
What Paulsboro residents can do
PFAS were detected in Paulsboro's water but levels are well below federal limits. Steps to maintain awareness:
- Read your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — request a copy if you don't receive one.
- Sign up for water quality alerts from your utility.
- If you're on a private well, get it independently tested for PFAS.
- Reduce PFAS exposure from non-water sources: avoid non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and grease-resistant food packaging.
Primary contamination source: Industrial contamination
Settlement information: Subject to NJ's 13 ppt PFNA / 14 ppt PFOA standards (strictest in nation)
How Paulsboro compares
Paulsboro is part of our launch coverage of communities where EPA UCMR 5 testing has detected PFAS in drinking water.
Where this data comes from
- Testing program: EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle (UCMR 5)
- Testing period: 2023–2026
- Federal limits: EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) finalized April 2024
- Methodology: Read how we calculate grades
- Raw EPA data: EPA UCMR Occurrence Data
This data reflects EPA testing. Your water utility may have more recent results — contact them directly for the most current information.