Water Quality in Newark, NJ: 50 Violations - Grade N/A
2 water systems · 9 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 50 violations across 9 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Newark. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Newark
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07107 | 50 | 1 | View report → |
| 07102 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 07103 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 07104 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 07105 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 07106 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 07108 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 07112 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 07114 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Newark, New Jersey has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 9 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 50 violations, including 1 health-based violation across 9 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Newark water systems is 0.0001 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 9 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 69% of homes built before 1986, Newark has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Newark
Newark is served by 2 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 307,360 people across 20 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 82 enforcement actions against water systems serving Newark. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Newark
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Newark Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Newark's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 28 | 9 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| PFOA | PFAS | 0.000004 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| PFNA | PFAS | 0.00001 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Bromoform | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Chlorodibromomethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 19 enforcement actions against water systems serving Newark. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-02-02 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2026-02-02 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-07-25 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-07-25 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-02-27 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-02-06 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-01-29 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2024-12-23 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2024-11-07 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-11-06 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-02-02.
Newark vs. Nearby New Jersey Cities
How Newark's water quality compares to similar cities in New Jersey:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 9 | 50 | 2 | 307,360 |
| Jersey City | 7 | 2 | 1 | 289,691 |
| Trenton | 13 | 138 | 4 | 239,192 |
| Fort Monmouth | 1 | 1 | 1 | 377,613 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Newark
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Newark's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 07107 | 50 | 1 |
| 07102 | 2 | 1 |
| 07103 | 2 | 1 |
| 07104 | 2 | 1 |
| 07105 | 2 | 1 |
| 07106 | 2 | 1 |
| 07108 | 2 | 1 |
| 07112 | 2 | 1 |
| 07114 | 2 | 1 |
Common Questions About Newark Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Newark, New Jersey:
Is Newark water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Newark's 2 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Newark tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 1 health-based violation; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Newark? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Newark vs. New Jersey Average
Understanding how Newark compares to the broader New Jersey average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Newark.
ZIP Codes in Newark
Newark spans 20 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 9 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.