Is Newark tap water safe to drink?

Use caution filtration recommended

Newark's water has significant quality concerns. We strongly recommend a certified water filter.

63/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
3.5 GPG
Hardness
Unknown
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Newark

Elevated Lead Risk

Lead contamination often caused by aging pipes especially homes built before 1986.

Lead data for Newark

High Chlorine Residual

Elevated chlorine can affect taste smell and skin.

Chlorine info for Newark

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.8 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Newark
New Jersey

71,010,710,207,103 · Pequannock Wanaque and Rockaway watersheds

Newark, NJ Water Quality Report

Elevated Risk Updated March 2026 311,549 residents
See Best Filters for Newark
63
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

Lead
18 ppb
Nitrate
1.2 mg/L
Arsenic
0.8 mg/L
Hardness
3.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    PFAS testing data is limited for Newark. Residents concerned about exposure may want to test independently.
  • 2
    Chlorine residuals in Newark are on the higher end. An activated carbon filter readily removes it.
  • 3
    Lead risk is elevated in Newark. A point-of-use filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 is strongly recommended.

Score

63 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Newark tap water is sourced from Pequannock Wanaque and Rockaway watersheds and treated by Newark Department of Water and Sewer. Lead levels are elevated due to aging infrastructure. Overall purity score: 63/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

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Newark Water FAQ

Is Newark NJ tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Newark tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 63/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb especially in homes built before 1986. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Newark NJ use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Newark uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 2.5 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Newark NJ water and what is the TDS level?
Newark water hardness is 3.5 grains per gallon (soft) with a TDS of 125 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Newark NJ drinking water?
PFAS testing data for Newark is incomplete or pending under EPA UCMR5 monitoring. Check your utility CCR report for the latest results. A certified filter provides precautionary protection.
What is the best water filter for Newark?
Based on Newark's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Newark: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

Toms RiverNew Jersey — 67/100Jersey CityNew Jersey — 69/100CamdenNew Jersey — 71/100PatersonNew Jersey — 77/100TrentonNew Jersey — 77/100ElizabethNew Jersey — 82/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Newark Department of Water and Sewer CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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