Lakewood, NJ: 5 Violations — 85/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in NJ, Lakewood keeps health-based violation rates low — systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Lakewood Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Lakewood Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 44% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.53 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Lakewood
Residential water in Lakewood, NJ is supplied by 3 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 4 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lakewood, New Jersey (population ~136,784), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 405,415 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lakewood: A (85/100)
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
Lakewood water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08701 | A | 5 | 0 | Lakewood Twp Mua |
All ZIP Codes in Lakewood
- 08701 [A] — 5 violations
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.
CDC Health Data for Lakewood
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Lakewood
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Lakewood's Housing Stock?
With 44% 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 1998 mean for water safety in Lakewood? It means the housing stock straddles two key plumbing thresholds: the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in copper plumbing, and the pre-1970 era when lead pipes were commonly installed for service lines. A meaningful share of homes predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating varied risk levels across the city's housing inventory.
Most homes in Lakewood were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lakewood: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When remediation costs are measured against Lakewood home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Lakewood 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 11% below the New Jersey average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lakewood
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 44% of Lakewood stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Lakewood
Taken together, Lakewood's 21 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Lakewood has a moderate flood history with 21 FEMA claims averaging $14,864 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lakewood, NJ