Newton, NJ: 9 Violations — 56/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Newton water quality is uneven — some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in NJ EPA records.
How Newton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Newton Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 9 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0027 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.2.
Newton's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Newton, NJ, water accountability is distributed across 7 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Newton, New Jersey, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 26,521 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Newton: C (56/100)
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
Newton water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0027 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07860 | C | 9 | 0 | Newton Water & Sewer Utility |
All ZIP Codes in Newton
- 07860 [C] — 9 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.
Newton 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
What's in Newton's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Newton Infrastructure Age
With 75% 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
The median home in Newton was built in 1961 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Newton 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 Newton
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Newton is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Newton are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the New Jersey average.
Newton: 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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 75% of Newton homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Newton: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
100% of ZIP codes in Newton are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 18 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Newton has a moderate flood history with 18 FEMA claims averaging $22,314 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 Newton
- 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. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Newton's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 75% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Newton, NJ