Somerset County, New Jersey
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 53/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
Public water compliance in Somerset County is below average — 4 ZIP codes, elevated violation rates.
How Somerset County Compares
How Somerset County Compares
Somerset County scores 5 points below the New Jersey state average (58/100) and 15 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 10 (asthma 8%, diabetes 10.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $5,835, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.397% avg pipe failure probability, 50% of ZIPs at high risk
62% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $5,835
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
43,764 housing units in Somerset County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Somerset County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Somerset County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Somerset County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 4 systems in Somerset County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP DEPT OF PUBLIC WORKS | 57,150 | 28 |
| 2 | Nj American Water - Liberty | 134,000 | 0 |
| 3 | Nj American Water - Frenchtown | 1,373 | 0 |
| 4 | Nj American Water - Oldwick | 246 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Somerset County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Somerset County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8875 | Somerset | 68 | C | 14 (2 health) | — |
| 2 | 8873 | Somerset | 58 | C | 14 (2 health) | $439K |
| 3 | 8805 | Bound Brook | 50 | D | 0 | $394K |
| 4 | 8844 | Hillsborough | 35 | F | 0 | $537K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Somerset County
If FEMA records flag flood-top-risk status or EPA samples show PFAS exceedances, the matching logic lifts emergency-water and PFAS-rated filtration into the recommendations — federal data drives the order, not retailer arrangements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 62% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Overview
Somerset County in New Jersey covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (53/100).
2 of 4 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to New Jersey water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Somerset County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
62% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.