Plainfield, NJ Water Safety: 45/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Plainfield, EPA compliance records fall well below NJ averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Plainfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Plainfield Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 90% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,550 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.61.
Plainfield's Water Providers
In Plainfield, 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 Plainfield, New Jersey, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 77,111 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Plainfield — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Plainfield: D (45/100)
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
Plainfield water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Plainfield
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07060 | D | EDISON WATER CO | 35,000 |
| 07061 | D | TRIPLE BROOK MOBILE HOME | 32 |
| 07062 | D | EDISON WATER CO | 35,000 |
| 07063 | D | EDISON WATER CO | 35,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Plainfield
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.
Plainfield 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
Plainfield Infrastructure Age
With 90% 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
Reading the housing age data for Plainfield — median build year 1958 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Plainfield 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 Plainfield
Low proportionality — that's the Plainfield picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Plainfield are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,500–$3,750 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 24% below the New Jersey average.
Plainfield: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 90% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Plainfield.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Plainfield: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP data for Plainfield documents 1899 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 100% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
Plainfield has a significant flood history with 1,899 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $17,527 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,550</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 Plainfield
- 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 90% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Plainfield, NJ