Elizabeth, NJ Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Elizabeth in NJ, the pattern is middle-of-the-road — some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Elizabeth Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Elizabeth Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.22.
Elizabeth's Water Providers
In Elizabeth, NJ, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Elizabeth, New Jersey (population ~104,767), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 428,274 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Elizabeth — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Elizabeth: 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
Elizabeth water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Elizabeth
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07201 | C | NJ AMERICAN WATER - LIBERTY | 134,000 |
| 07202 | D | NJ AMERICAN WATER - LIBERTY | 134,000 |
| 07207 | C | NEWARK WATER DEPARTMENT | 294,274 |
| 07208 | D | NJ AMERICAN WATER - LIBERTY | 134,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Elizabeth
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.
Elizabeth Community Health Snapshot
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
Elizabeth Infrastructure Age
With 81% 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
What does a median build year of 1954 mean for water safety in Elizabeth? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Elizabeth 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Elizabeth
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Elizabeth, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Elizabeth are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,400–$3,750 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% below the New Jersey average.
Elizabeth: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 81% of the Elizabeth inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Elizabeth: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data shows 100% of Elizabeth's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 284 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Elizabeth has a moderate flood history with 284 FEMA claims averaging $19,874 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>$2,500</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 Elizabeth
- 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 81% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Elizabeth, NJ