Quick answer: Newark's water is supplied by Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities and has a hardness level of Soft. The primary contaminant of concern is lead. Major lead crisis beginning 2016 - called 'the next Flint.' For the best protection, I recommend the AquaTru reverse osmosis system ($475) or the Clearly Filtered pitcher ($90) as a budget pick.
What's in Newark's Water?
Newark's drinking water comes from Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities, which serves the metro area's 2,300,000 residents. While the utility meets most federal EPA standards, meeting the minimum legal requirement doesn't always mean the water is as clean as you'd want for your family.
Here are the known contaminants and concerns for Newark's water supply:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Utility | Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities |
| Key Contaminant | lead |
| Water Hardness | Soft |
| Known Issues | lead, lead service lines, infrastructure failures |
| EPA Status | Major lead crisis beginning 2016 - called 'the next Flint.' |
Why lead Matters
Lead exposure is especially dangerous for children under 6. Even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
This is especially important for families with young children, pregnant women, or anyone with a compromised immune system. Children absorb contaminants at higher rates than adults, and their developing bodies are more vulnerable to the effects.
Check Your Specific Address
Water quality can vary within Newark depending on which part of the distribution system serves your home, the age of your pipes, and whether you have lead service lines. I recommend two steps:
- Use our free Water Quality Lookup tool - Enter your ZIP code here to check EPA violation records for your specific area.
- Test your tap water - A home water test kit like Tap Score ($150-200) will tell you exactly what's in the water coming out of your faucet, which can be different from what the utility reports.
Best Water Filters for Newark
Based on Newark's specific contaminant profile, here's what I recommend:
Top Pick: AquaTru Countertop RO
The AquaTru is a countertop reverse osmosis system that removes 84 contaminants including lead, lead, PFAS, fluoride, and microplastics. No plumbing required.
- NSF/ANSI certified
- Removes 99.9% of PFAS
- Countertop - no installation
- $475 (filters last 6-12 months)
Budget Pick: Clearly Filtered Pitcher
The Clearly Filtered pitcher removes 365+ contaminants including lead and PFAS. It's the best pitcher filter I've tested.
- WQA certified for PFAS removal
- Removes 99.7% of PFAS
- No installation needed
- $90 (replacement filters ~$30 every 4 months)
Frequently Asked Questions
Newark's water is supplied by Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities. Major lead crisis beginning 2016 - called 'the next Flint.' While it may meet EPA minimum standards, those standards don't cover all contaminants of concern. For families with young children, I recommend using a certified water filter as an extra layer of protection.
Known contaminants in Newark's water include lead, lead service lines, infrastructure failures. The most significant concern is lead. You can check your specific area using our Water Quality Lookup tool.
Based on Newark's contaminant profile, I recommend reverse osmosis (like AquaTru) or a certified pitcher filter (like Clearly Filtered). My top pick is the AquaTru ($475) for comprehensive protection, or the Clearly Filtered pitcher ($90) for a budget option.
Newark's water is classified as soft. Soft water is generally easier on plumbing and appliances.