Paterson
Paterson, NJ water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Paterson, NJ is a mid-sized city, with a population near 147,754 and the 3rd-largest community in New Jersey. Like much of New Jersey, Paterson draws its water primarily from Delaware River, reservoirs, and coastal aquifers.
Paterson's water outlook is shaped most by pfas contamination — the issue that dominates planning across New Jersey. Among the first states to set strict PFAS limits; dense development strains aging systems.
Paterson sits in a state that reuses roughly 6% of treated wastewater (developing programs) and currently experiences severe to extreme drought.
For the bigger picture, see the New Jersey state water profile and the related issues below.
At a glance
- Population ~147,754 (3rd-largest in New Jersey)
- Primary sources: Delaware River, reservoirs, and coastal aquifers
- Drought: severe to extreme conditions
- State reuse rate: ~6% of wastewater
Statewide drought history
% of New Jersey in severe+ drought (Extreme (D3) now).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Paterson?
Paterson is served by community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Statewide, 29.8% of New Jersey's systems have a recent health-based violation. Check your provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report for local results.
Where does Paterson get its water?
Paterson draws from the same regional sources that serve New Jersey: Delaware River, reservoirs, coastal aquifers.
Related water issues
PFAS Contamination
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances persist in water supplies for decades. New federal limits are forcing utilities nationwide to invest in advanced treatment.
ExploreAging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExploreSaltwater Intrusion
As coastal aquifers are over-pumped and seas rise, saltwater pushes inland and contaminates freshwater supplies for cities from Florida to California.
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