New Jersey tap water / Water systems

Newark Water Department: 2025 water quality report results

In its 2025 water quality report, the Newark Water Department reported PFOA at 4.15 ppt and PFOS at 2.175 ppt (highest average). PFOA is below New Jersey's limit but above the federal limit; PFOS is below both the New Jersey and federal limits. Lead at the 90th percentile of home taps: 0 ppb. Hardness: not listed.

Public water system NJ0714001. Read the utility's 2025 report; every value below was checked against it.

2025 results against New Jersey and federal limits

Each bar shows the highest average reported for this system, in parts per trillion (ppt), against both limits. The darker band is the range of results the report lists; the status compares the reported value, not the top of the range, with the limits.

The report doesn't say whether that figure is a running annual average.

The 2025 report doesn't list arsenic, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, sodium or chloride. New Jersey sets its own limits for arsenic (stricter than the federal one) and 1,2,3-trichloropropane (no federal limit); its sodium and chloride limits are recommended upper limits, not enforceable. Federal limits as of November 2026.

According to EPA, lead gets into drinking water when plumbing that contains lead corrodes, and where a home has a lead service line, that pipe is typically the largest source. So a home's own tap can differ from the system-wide 90th percentile.

Other PFAS detected in EPA's nationwide testing (UCMR 5), not charted because the figure isn't a compliance result: PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxA and PFPeA.

EPA kept its 4 ppt limits for PFOA and PFOS. Utilities must meet them by 2029; EPA has proposed letting systems request until 2031. In May 2026, EPA proposed withdrawing its national limits for PFNA, PFHxS, GenX (HFPO-DA) and a combined limit for PFAS mixtures. The proposal isn't final yet; EPA plans to decide in 2026. New Jersey's own PFNA limit is unaffected. (Status as of November 2026.)

Compare the Newark Water Department with other New Jersey water systems in one table of 2025 PFAS results.

Filters certified for PFOA

If you want to reduce PFOA at home, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 with a PFOA reduction claim, and check the claim on the certifier's own listing. Certification shows the filter reduces these chemicals; it doesn't guarantee levels below the federal limit.

We list a filter only when its certification document backs the claim (how we choose products). Replace cartridges on schedule; a used-up filter stops working.

Towns served by the Newark Water Department

• Newark tap water

Water sources

The water supplied to Newark's residents routinely originates from two adjacent watersheds: Pequannock Watershed & Wanaque Watershed (owned by North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (NJDWSC)).