PlainWater
States → New Jersey

Community Water System · PWS NJ0714001

Newark Water Department

Newark, New Jersey 07102 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 294,274 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

294,274
People served
349
EPA violations
119
Health-based
1 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 349 drinking-water violations at Newark Water Department, 34% of them health-based - above the New Jersey per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound.

349
Total EPA violations on record
34%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
294,274
People served by this system
1
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Newark Water Department

Newark Water Department is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 294,274 residents in Newark, New Jersey (Essex County) through 36,402 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 349 total violations for this system , of which 119 (34%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 216 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2022.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), recorded in 51 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 5.3 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across New Jersey, EPA tracks 3,428 public water systems serving 9,570,926 people, with 204,988 cumulative violations and 22,229 health-based violations on record. About 95% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 59.8 violations. Statewide, 208 of 264 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (78.8%).

Newark Water Department's 349 violations sit above the New Jersey average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
294,274
Total Violations
349
Health-Based Violations
119
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
36,402
County
Essex
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
76
Monitoring Violations
216
Treatment Tech Violations
43

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL 51 2020
TTHM MR 42 2012
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 42 2012
TTHM MCL 25 2019
Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 20 2020
Coliform (TCR) MR 13 2015
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 12 2020
Lead and Copper Rule TT 11 2022
Lead and Copper Rule MR 7 2021
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 6 2020
CYANIDE MR 5 2017
Nitrate MR 4 2012
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 2006
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2006
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 2006
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 2006
Trichloroethylene MR 4 2006
Tetrachloroethylene MR 4 2006
CHLOROBENZENE MR 4 2006
Styrene MR 4 2006
Mercury MR 4 2006
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2006
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 2006
Vinyl chloride MR 4 2006
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 2006
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 4 2006
Benzene MR 4 2006
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2006
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2006
Toluene MR 4 2006

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 4 of 232 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFNA 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/16/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 8/16/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/16/2023 5.30 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFTrDA 8/16/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/16/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/16/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/16/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/16/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/16/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 8/16/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Newark Water Department.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID NJ0714001 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

New Jersey Drinking Water Authority

NJ DEP, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Newark Water Department under EPA-delegated authority.

Open NJ regulator portal

Source: NJ DEP, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2022 Lead and Copper Rule TT 11 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 5000
2021 Lead and Copper Rule MR 7 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 5000
2020 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL 51 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 2456
2020 Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 20 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 0200
2020 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 12 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 0300
2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 6 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 7000
2019 TTHM MCL 25 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 2950
2017 CYANIDE MR 5 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 1024
2015 Coliform (TCR) MR 13 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 3100
2012 TTHM MR 42 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 2950
2012 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 42 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 2456
2012 Nitrate MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 1040
2011 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 1 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 0300
2006 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 2378
2006 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / NJ0714001 / 2977

How Newark Water Department Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Newark Water Department New Jersey avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 349 59.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 119 6.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 1 compound 78.8% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 294,274 2,792 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 3,428 regulated public water systems in New Jersey.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Newark Water Department water safe to drink? ▼
Newark Water Department (PWS ID: NJ0714001) has 349 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 1 PFAS compound found. This system serves 294,274 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Newark Water Department serve? ▼
Newark Water Department serves 294,274 people in Newark, New Jersey. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 36,402 service connections.
What type of violations does Newark Water Department have? ▼
Newark Water Department has 349 total violations: 119 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 216 monitoring/reporting violations, and 43 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Newark Water Department water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound in Newark Water Department's water supply: PFOA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Newark Water Department use? ▼
Newark Water Department uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.