Is tap water safe in Newark?

EPA SDWIS shows no active health-based violation in this profile's reporting window. That is not the same as proving every contaminant is absent, and federal data can lag state and utility records.

How hard is the water in Newark, NJ?

Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 82.1 ppm (4.8 grains per gallon), classified as moderately hard. This is not a tap measurement.

Do I need a water softener in ZIP code 07107?

There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm conditions with an at-home hardness test before purchasing equipment.

City water profile

Newark water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Newark, New Jersey.

Median indexed hardness

81PPM

9 indexed ZIPs

Range 81.1–82.1 PPM

State comparison: At state median
State hardness rank: #24 of 60
Matched utilities: 1
Active health records: 0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Newark has 9 published ZIP profiles across Essex County. The indexed median is 81 PPM, compared with 81 PPM across New Jersey.

Among the 60 New Jerseycities with an indexed median, Newark ranks #24from highest to lowest. Across all 84 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 47to 121.5 PPM.

The 81.1–82.1 PPM range shows how much the available ZIP estimates vary within the city label.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft0 ZIPs

Moderately hard9 ZIPs

Hard0 ZIPs

Very hard0 ZIPs

9 of 9 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance: 4.1 miles
Profiles with evidence: 9/9

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 9Low: 0

Newark Water Department

PWSID NJ0714001

Surface water

System population served: 294,274
Last reported: Jun 30, 2026

A municipal system, in-state city, and served county all agree with this Census ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

No active health-based violation appears among the associated systems in the represented EPA reporting quarter. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

Record	System	Period	Status
Lead and Copper Rule	NJ0714001	Jul 1, 2022	Resolved · health-based
Lead and Copper Rule	NJ0714001	Jul 1, 2021	Resolved

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Continue comparing

Other New Jersey communities

East Orange

Essex County

91 PPM median

North Caldwell

Essex County

83 PPM median

Roseland

Essex County

82 PPM median

Boonton

Morris County

81 PPM median

Lincoln Park

Morris County

81 PPM median

Ramsey

Bergen County

81 PPM median

Search all 60 New Jersey cities →

Questions people ask

About water in Newark

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 81 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.