Belleville Town, NJ · PWSID NJ0714001
Newark Water Department lead service lines
412 lines still unidentified
Newark Water Department reported no confirmed lead service lines, but 412 of 39,544 lines (1.0%) are still listed as "lead status unknown." Until a line is identified, treat it as possibly lead.
0% of Newark Water Department's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's lower than the New Jersey average (4.5%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 1.0%
- Non-lead 99%
Total service lines reported: 39,544. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 294,274; 36,402 connections.
Lead test results
Newark Water Department's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (2026) was 4 ppb, below both the 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level that takes effect in 2027. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 0 in 2025 Q1 to 0 in 2026 Q3: no change. Lines of unknown material went from 4,695 to 412, down 4,283 (91%).
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists 6 Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015, 3 health-based for Newark Water Department. Health-based violations are treatment failures, such as corrosion control or public education; the rest are missed monitoring or reporting.
| Began | Violation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2022 | Water quality parameters out of range health-based | Returned to compliance |
| Jul 2021 | Missed water quality parameter monitoring | Returned to compliance |
| Jan 2020 | Missed water quality parameter monitoring | Returned to compliance |
| Mar 2019 | Public education requirement not met health-based | Returned to compliance |
| Sep 2018 | Public education requirement not met health-based | Returned to compliance |
| Jul 2016 | Missed water quality parameter monitoring | Returned to compliance |
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
Newark Water Department's main water source is surface water (rivers, lakes or reservoirs). It buys treated water from N.J.D.W.S.C. - Wanaque North, Belleville Water Dept. The seller treats the water, including corrosion control that keeps lead from dissolving out of pipes, while Newark Water Department is responsible for its own service line inventory and replacement program. It sells water to 8 other water systems: Belleville Water Dept, Bloomfield Water Department, East Orange Water Commission, Nutley Water Dept, South Orange Water Department, Pequannock TWP Water Department, NJ American Water - Liberty, NJ American Water - Raritan.
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
Official utility link, checked November 2026.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line replaced
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Newark Water Department whether it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Essex County
Cities served
ZIP codes served
ZIP codes whose center falls inside Newark Water Department's mapped service area (EPA service area boundaries). Neighboring utilities may serve parts of the same ZIP.
07102071030710407105071060710707108071120711407201
Other water systems nearby
| System | Lead + galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|
| NJ American Water - Short Hills | 2,471 | 28,098 |
| East Orange Water Commission | 7,969 | 0 |
| Bloomfield Water Department | 351 | 5,973 |
| Montclair Water Bureau | 406 | 387 |
| Belleville Water Dept | 4,411 | 0 |
| South Orange Water Department | 160 | 3,753 |
| Glen Ridge Water Dept | 134 | 47 |
| Essex Fells Water Dept | 264 | 114 |
Check another water system
Questions
Does Newark Water Department have lead pipes?
It hasn't confirmed any, but 412 of its 39,544 service lines are still of unknown material, so lead has not been ruled out.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on Newark Water Department's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will Newark Water Department replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has Newark Water Department had lead violations?
EPA's data shows 6 Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015, 3 health-based for Newark Water Department.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "Newark Water Department lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/nj/newark-water-department/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.