Essex Fells Water Department
EPA ID: NJ0706001 · 2,200 people served · 9 ZIP codes
Tallying the federal enforcement file for Essex Fells Water Department yields 1 open violation that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 2,200 residents and works through the required corrective action process.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Essex Fells Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Essex Fells Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $173,584 and an estimated 48,382 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Essex Fells Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Essex County, New Jersey rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 81th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Essex Fells Water Department compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 57 detections recorded. 17 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in New Jersey
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT (EPA ID: NJ0706001) is a community water system in New Jersey that serves approximately 2,200 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 9 ZIP codes across 9 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (68/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 8 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 07021 — Essex Fells
- 07920 — Basking Ridge
- 07924 — Bernardsville
- 07933 — Gillette
- 07935 — Green Village
- 07939 — Lyons
- 07946 — Millington
- 07976 — New Vernon
- 07980 — Stirling
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Essex Fells Water Department (NJ0706001) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Essex Fells Water Department water safe to drink?
Essex Fells Water Department has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Essex Fells Water Department serve?
Essex Fells Water Department serves approximately 2,200 people across 9 ZIP codes in New Jersey.
Where does Essex Fells Water Department get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: NJDEP Public Community Water Purveyor SLI · Submitted 2024
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Essex Fells Water Department (EPA ID: NJ0706001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.