2026 Rankings

Worst Infrastructure: New Jersey — 2026 Rankings

Last updated: August 31, 2026

593 ZIP codes ranked by Pipe Failure Risk #1: ZIP 07001 (Avenel, NJ) - NaN%

Out of 593 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in New Jersey, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 593
Highest risk NaN%
Median risk NaN%
Average risk NaN%
State New Jersey

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Pipe Failure Risk Risk Level Safety Score
1 07001 Avenel NJ NaN% Unknown
2 07002 Bayonne NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
3 07003 Bloomfield NJ NaN% Unknown
4 07004 Fairfield NJ NaN% Unknown
5 07005 Boonton NJ NaN% Unknown 33/100
6 07006 Caldwell NJ NaN% Unknown
7 07008 Carteret NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
8 07009 Cedar Grove NJ NaN% Unknown 61/100
9 07010 Cliffside Park NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
10 07011 Clifton NJ NaN% Unknown 65/100
11 07012 Clifton NJ NaN% Unknown 65/100
12 07013 Clifton NJ NaN% Unknown 65/100
13 07014 Clifton NJ NaN% Unknown 65/100
14 07016 Cranford NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
15 07017 East Orange NJ NaN% Unknown
16 07018 East Orange NJ NaN% Unknown
17 07020 Edgewater NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
18 07021 Essex Fells NJ NaN% Unknown
19 07022 Fairview NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
20 07023 Fanwood NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
21 07024 Fort Lee NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
22 07026 Garfield NJ NaN% Unknown 65/100
23 07027 Garwood NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
24 07028 Glen Ridge NJ NaN% Unknown
25 07029 Harrison NJ NaN% Unknown 62/100
26 07030 Hoboken NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
27 07031 North Arlington NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
28 07032 Kearny NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
29 07033 Kenilworth NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
30 07034 Lake Hiawatha NJ NaN% Unknown 48/100
31 07035 Lincoln Park NJ NaN% Unknown 40/100
32 07036 Linden NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
33 07039 Livingston NJ NaN% Unknown
34 07040 Maplewood NJ NaN% Unknown
35 07041 Millburn NJ NaN% Unknown
36 07042 Montclair NJ NaN% Unknown
37 07043 Montclair NJ NaN% Unknown
38 07044 Verona NJ NaN% Unknown
39 07045 Montville NJ NaN% Unknown 49/100
40 07046 Mountain Lakes NJ NaN% Unknown 47/100
41 07047 North Bergen NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
42 07050 Orange NJ NaN% Unknown
43 07052 West Orange NJ NaN% Unknown
44 07054 Parsippany NJ NaN% Unknown 49/100
45 07055 Passaic NJ NaN% Unknown 65/100
46 07057 Wallington NJ NaN% Unknown 62/100
47 07058 Pine Brook NJ NaN% Unknown
48 07059 Warren NJ NaN% Unknown
49 07060 Plainfield NJ NaN% Unknown
50 07062 Plainfield NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
51 07063 Plainfield NJ NaN% Unknown
52 07064 Port Reading NJ NaN% Unknown
53 07065 Rahway NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
54 07066 Clark NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
55 07067 Colonia NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
56 07068 Roseland NJ NaN% Unknown
57 07069 Watchung NJ NaN% Unknown
58 07070 Rutherford NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
59 07071 Lyndhurst NJ NaN% Unknown 65/100
60 07072 Carlstadt NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
61 07073 East Rutherford NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
62 07074 Moonachie NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
63 07075 Wood Ridge NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
64 07076 Scotch Plains NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
65 07077 Sewaren NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
66 07078 Short Hills NJ NaN% Unknown
67 07079 South Orange NJ NaN% Unknown
68 07080 South Plainfield NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
69 07081 Springfield NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
70 07082 Towaco NJ NaN% Unknown
71 07083 Union NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
72 07086 Weehawken NJ NaN% Unknown
73 07087 Union City NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
74 07088 Vauxhall NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
75 07090 Westfield NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
76 07092 Mountainside NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
77 07093 Monitor NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
78 07094 Secaucus NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
79 07095 Woodbridge NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
80 07102 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
81 07103 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
82 07104 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
83 07105 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
84 07106 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
85 07107 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
86 07108 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
87 07109 Belleville NJ NaN% Unknown
88 07110 Nutley NJ NaN% Unknown
89 07111 Irvington NJ NaN% Unknown
90 07112 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
91 07114 Newark NJ NaN% Unknown
92 07201 Elizabeth NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
93 07202 Elizabeth NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
94 07203 Roselle NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
95 07204 Roselle Park NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
96 07205 Hillside NJ NaN% Unknown
97 07206 Elizabethport NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
98 07208 Elizabeth NJ NaN% Unknown 67/100
99 07302 Jersey City NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100
100 07304 Jersey City NJ NaN% Unknown 66/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-08-31.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →


Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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