New Brunswick, NJ: 88 Violations — 74/100 (2026)
8 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Residents of New Brunswick generally live with tap water that beats the NJ safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How New Brunswick Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: New Brunswick, NJ
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in New Brunswick score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About New Brunswick Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 88 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $850 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.8.
Who Supplies Your Water in New Brunswick
Residential water in New Brunswick, NJ is supplied by 2 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 2 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 8 ZIP codes in New Brunswick, New Jersey (population ~56,766), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 98,905 people region-wide.
8 of 8 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for New Brunswick: B (74/100)
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
New Brunswick water systems draw from: 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 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 8 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2946 | Other | 27 | 8 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 8 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 18 | 8 |
| Contaminant 2105 | Other | 9 | 8 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 9 | 8 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08901 | C | 11 | 0 | New Brunswick W Department |
| 08903 | B | 11 | 0 | New Brunswick W Department |
| 08905 | B | 11 | 0 | New Brunswick W Department |
| 08906 | B | 11 | 0 | New Brunswick W Department |
| 08922 | B | 11 | 0 | New Brunswick W Department |
| 08933 | B | 11 | 0 | New Brunswick W Department |
| 08988 | B | 11 | 0 | New Brunswick W Department |
| 08989 | B | 11 | 0 | New Brunswick W Department |
All ZIP Codes in New Brunswick
- 08901 [C] — 11 violations
- 08903 [B] — 11 violations
- 08905 [B] — 11 violations
- 08906 [B] — 11 violations
- 08922 [B] — 11 violations
- 08933 [B] — 11 violations
- 08988 [B] — 11 violations
- 08989 [B] — 11 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.
Health Outcomes in New Brunswick
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
Top Contaminants in New Brunswick Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for New Brunswick Homeowners
Setting New Brunswick remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in New Brunswick are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,438 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% below the New Jersey average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in New Brunswick
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.
Lead risk in New Brunswick appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in New Brunswick
New Brunswick's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 92 NFIP claims on record and 25% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
New Brunswick has a moderate flood history with 92 FEMA claims averaging $28,395 per payout. 25% 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>$850</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 New Brunswick, NJ