Orange, New Jersey - Tap Water Quality

All biological and radiological contaminants were either undetectable or well within EPA limits. This is great news and means that Orange's water treatment processes are effectively handling these types of contaminants.

Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, chromium, mercury, and cadmium can leach into drinking water from natural deposits, industrial pollution, or aging infrastructure. Even at low levels, prolonged exposure to these contaminants can cause serious health issues, including neurological damage, cancer, and organ failure.

The EPA has set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for these metals, but many health experts argue that there is no truly "safe" level of exposure, especially for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.

Orange's tap water shows excellent results for heavy metals. No lead, arsenic, mercury, or cadmium were detected. Only a very low level of chromium was present at just 1.6% of the EPA maximum—well within safe limits. This is outstanding performance and demonstrates the effectiveness of Orange's water treatment and source protection.

In the 1930s, chemists discovered that by bonding carbon to fluorine, they could create incredibly stable compounds that resisted heat, water, and oil. These compounds, known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), became the backbone of countless products: non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, and even food packaging.

But there was a catch: PFAS don't break down. Ever. They accumulate in the environment, in our bodies, and in our water supplies. The EPA has set a limit of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for certain PFAS compounds—a level so low it's almost unimaginable. To put that in perspective, 4 ppt is like finding 4 drops of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

No other significant issues were detected in Orange tap water. All measured contaminants including chloride, TTHM (total trihalomethanes), HAA5 (haloacetic acids), chlorine, copper, barium, nitrate, sulfate, and nickel are well within EPA limits, with most at very low percentages.

Think of H2O as nature's masterpiece—pure, life-giving, and essential. But when contaminants enter the picture, it's like someone took a paintbrush to the Mona Lisa. A little smudge here, a splash of color there, and suddenly, the masterpiece isn't quite what it used to be.

Orange's A or Excellent rating is way above any other local community and was the only one to rate excellent. This is a remarkable achievement that sets Orange apart from all neighboring municipalities. Nearby communities like West Orange (D-), East Orange (D+), and South Orange (C) all have significantly lower ratings, primarily due to PFAS contamination and higher levels of heavy metals.