Bernardsville, NJ Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Bernardsville's water quality grade in NJ reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Bernardsville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Bernardsville Water
- Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.99.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bernardsville
Structurally, Bernardsville, NJ's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 2 water systems in the area, with 2 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bernardsville, New Jersey (population ~7,756), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 219,430 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bernardsville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bernardsville: C (55/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Bernardsville water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Bernardsville
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07924 | C | NJ AMERICAN WATER - SHORT HILLS | 217,230 |
All ZIP Codes in Bernardsville
- 07924 [C]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Bernardsville
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Bernardsville
With 79% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Bernardsville's housing stock carries a median build year of 1966. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Bernardsville were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Bernardsville Homeowners
At current valuations, Bernardsville sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Bernardsville are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 52% above the New Jersey average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bernardsville
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted — but 79% of the Bernardsville inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Bernardsville
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Bernardsville has accumulated 32 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Bernardsville has a moderate flood history with 32 FEMA claims averaging $9,949 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,200</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Bernardsville
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 79% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bernardsville, NJ