01Homes in Passaic County and their plumbing
About 524,000 people lived in Passaic County at the 2020 Census.
| Building type | Where you'll often find it | Typical plumbing concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Multifamily houses | Paterson, Passaic, Prospect Park | Shared drains, water heaters per unit, old cast iron |
| Suburban single-family houses | Clifton, Wayne, Totowa, Little Falls | Water heaters, sump pumps, sewer laterals |
| Lake & hill homes | Pompton Lakes, West Milford | Wells, septic, frozen pipes |
02Common plumbing problems
- Basement water and sump pumps near the Passaic and Pompton rivers
- Shared drain clogs in multifamily houses
- Water heater replacement
- Frozen pipes
- Wells and septic in the north of the county
03Licensing & permits
- Who can do the work
- NJ licensed master plumbers, or employees under their supervision. A homeowner may work on their own single-family home. Details
- Permits
- Construction office of your municipality, under the NJ Uniform Construction Code. How NJ permits work
- Plumbing code
- National Standard Plumbing Code (UCC plumbing subcode)
- Lead service lines
- NJ water utilities must replace lead service lines, generally within 10 years of the 2021 law; you may get a letter from yours
04Water, sewer & gas
- Water
- Passaic Valley Water Commission and local utilities
- Gas
- PSE&G
- Sewer
- Municipal and regional systems; septic in parts of the north
Providers vary by street and town. Your bill shows which one serves your address. Smell gas? Leave and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
05Cities & towns
- Paterson
- Passaic
- Clifton
- Wayne
- Little Falls
- Totowa
- Pompton Lakes
06Passaic County plumbing FAQ
Our basement floods when the river rises. Can a plumber help?
A plumber can install or service sump pumps and check for sewer backup through floor drains. River flooding itself is a separate issue; ask about backwater protection.
07Nearby areas
Sources & review
Last reviewed . General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and individual buildings differ.