Olympian Water Testing™

The history of Elmwood Park’s water supply is closely tied to its transformation from quiet farmland to a bustling suburban community. Early development in the area, then known as Dundee Lake, was spurred by the construction of the Dundee Dam on the Passaic River in the 19th century. As the population grew, leading to its incorporation as the Borough of East Paterson in 1916, the need for organized municipal services became critical. According to the borough’s historical records, establishing a reliable water supply was a key priority for the newly formed government.

From its inception, the Elmwood Park Water Department, also established in 1916, adopted a strategy of purchasing its water rather than developing its own independent source. This decision led to a long-standing and vital partnership with a major regional supplier. For its entire history, the borough has received its water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC). This arrangement allowed the new community to provide safe, treated water to its residents without the immense cost of building and maintaining its own reservoirs and treatment plants.

Today, this model continues to serve the residents of Elmwood Park. The PVWC sources raw water from the Passaic River and the Wanaque Reservoir system, treats it to meet stringent quality standards, and provides it to the borough. The Elmwood Park Water Department then manages the local infrastructure, distributing the water to homes and businesses. This century-old partnership ensures a professionally managed and dependable water supply, a foundational service that has supported the borough’s growth for over 100 years.