F0/100

Lake Hopatcong Tap Water Quality: Is It Safe to Drink? (2026 Report)

Serving 13,000 residents · New Jersey

What's In Lake Hopatcong's Tap Water?

Choose your water utility(2 serving Lake Hopatcong)

Contaminants Tested

Exceed EPA Limits

Above EPA Goals

3 contaminants above EPA health goals

Contaminant	Detected	Limit (MCL)	Goal (MCLG)	Status
Copper (90th percentile)	1.40 mg/L	1.30 mg/L	1.30 mg/L	Over Limit
PFOS	0.010 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	0 µg/L	Over Limit
PFOA	0.008 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	0 µg/L	Over Limit

EPA Violation History

Violations (last 5yr)

Unresolved

Health-Related

TIER 3Unresolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: September 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025Rule: Total Coliform RuleVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Unresolved

Monitoring violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 11, 2025Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: June 21, 2025 – July 16, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Unresolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 2Unresolved

Public notification violation

When: January 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Unresolved

Missed required monitoring deadline

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: December 10, 2024Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 2Resolved

Maximum contaminant level violation

When: September 19, 2024 – October 1, 2024Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed to conduct Level 1 Assessment

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 17, 2024Rule: Consumer Confidence RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Unresolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 2Unresolved

Public notification violation

When: July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Resolved

Failed to conduct Level 1 Assessment

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 19, 2024 – November 20, 2024Rule: Consumer Confidence RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed to conduct Level 1 Assessment

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 19, 2024 – November 20, 2024Rule: Consumer Confidence RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: May 10, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: March 31, 2024 – March 25, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 11, 2024 – May 7, 2024Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 2Unresolved

Public notification violation

When: January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Unresolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: December 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed to conduct Level 1 Assessment

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 18, 2023 – July 19, 2024Rule: Consumer Confidence RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 11, 2023 – May 16, 2024Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: October 6, 2023 – November 6, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: September 29, 2023 – May 20, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: September 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Surface water treatment technique failure

When: July 1, 2023 – September 5, 2023Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 2Unresolved

Public notification violation

When: July 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: June 18, 2023 – July 7, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: April 1, 2023 – March 25, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: January 6, 2023 – March 17, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 2Unresolved

Public notification violation

When: January 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2022 – November 15, 2022Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2022 – October 15, 2022Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2022 – December 15, 2022Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: September 29, 2022 – May 20, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 2Unresolved

Public notification violation

When: July 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 2Unresolved

Public notification violation

When: January 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring / Reporting Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

Understanding violation severity

Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly

Water Utility Details

JEFFERSON TWP W U MILTON SYS

Population Served

4,500

Water Source

Groundwater

System ID

NJ1414003

JEFFERSON TWP W U LK HOP

Population Served

8,500

Water Source

Groundwater

System ID

NJ1414011

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Hopatcong Water

Is Lake Hopatcong tap water safe to drink?

Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey tap water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 3 contaminant(s) exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels and 405 violation(s) are on record. Residents should consider using an NSF-certified water filter to reduce contaminant exposure.

What contaminants are in Lake Hopatcong's water?

Of the 52 contaminants tested in Lake Hopatcong's water supply, the most notable include PFOS, PFOA, Copper (90th percentile), Lead (90th percentile). 3 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits (MCLs). 4 contaminant(s) exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs), which are non-enforceable targets set at levels with no known health risk.

Does Lake Hopatcong have any water quality violations?

Yes, Lake Hopatcong has 405 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2025. Violation types include MON, RPT, Other. 20 of these are health-based violations, which are the most serious category.

Do I need a water filter in Lake Hopatcong?

Based on EPA data, using a water filter in Lake Hopatcong is recommended. 3 contaminant(s) exceed legal limits. An NSF-certified filter — such as a reverse osmosis or activated carbon system — can effectively reduce many common contaminants. Choose a filter certified to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.

Where does Lake Hopatcong's tap water come from?

Lake Hopatcong's drinking water is sourced from groundwater and supplied by JEFFERSON TWP W U MILTON SYS and 1 other water system(s). The system serves approximately 13,000 people. Groundwater is pumped from underground aquifers, which often provides natural filtration.

How often is Lake Hopatcong's water tested?

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), water utilities are required to regularly test for over 90 contaminants. Testing frequency varies by contaminant — some are tested monthly, others quarterly or annually. Lake Hopatcong's water systems must report results to the EPA and publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The data on this page reflects the latest available EPA testing data.

How does Lake Hopatcong's water compare to other cities in New Jersey?

Lake Hopatcong's water quality score of 0/100 earns a grade of F, which is considered failing. This is a concerning score that suggests significant water quality issues. Visit our New Jersey state page to see how all cities in the state compare.

What should I do if I'm concerned about Lake Hopatcong's water quality?

If you have concerns about Lake Hopatcong's tap water, consider these steps: (1) Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed local data. (2) Get your water independently tested through a state-certified laboratory. (3) Consider an NSF-certified water filter rated for the contaminants found in your area. (4) Contact your water utility (JEFFERSON TWP W U MILTON SYS) with specific questions. (5) Report water quality issues to your state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

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