The City of Newark is committed to providing clean, safe and reliable drinking water to all Newark residents. To support this mission, the city has developed the Information about Lead Program, which consists of a series of actions that Newark is undertaking to reduce or eliminate lead in drinking water at the customer’s tap. This program aims to educate the public on how to reduce their exposure to lead in drinking water.
Newark’s water is lead free when it leaves the City’s water treatment plants and travels through the water mains in the streets. However, when it travels through the water service pipes that connect from the water main on your street to the water taps in your home, it comes in contact with lead materials in the water service line and the plumbing in your home. The City of Newark is implementing several city wide programs to reduce or eliminate lead concentrations at the customer’s tap. Newark is currently:
Distributing free water filters and filter replacement cartridges that remove 99% of lead to eligible residents in single and multi family homes.
Operating the new corrosion control treatment (CCT) system at the City's Valley Road Rechlorination Station in Montclair. The system adds zinc orthophosphate to the water system.
Undertaking an aggressive, $115 million Lead Service Line Replacement Program to prioritize the replacement of approximately 18,000 lead services over two years.
We encourage all residents to participate in the Information about Lead Program by:
Installing lead-removing water filters on faucets;
Running the water to flush out lead before using a water filter, after an extended period of non-use;
Enrolling in the Lead Service Line Replacement Program;
Using the resources provided on this website to stay informed about how to reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.
The City of Newark supplies water to a population of approximately 280,000 within the City, the largest city in the state of New Jersey. The City’s population is supplied potable water through a large, complex system owned and operated by the City. The system provides approximately 80 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to a population of over 300,000 customers within the City and its surrounding communities including several commercial and wholesale customers.
Newark’s uses two sources of water to supply water to their customers. The Pequannock Water Treatment Plant (WTP) located in West Milford supplies the North, West South and Central Wards. The other water source for Newark is from the Wanaque Water Treatment Plant, which supplies the East Ward, and portions of the North and Central Wards.
The entire system is managed by the City of Newark’s Department of Water and Sewer Utilities (Department) who is responsible for managing a very precious water resource and providing customers with a reliable and safe supply of potable water. To accomplish this, the Department is tasked with meeting or exceeding current Federal and State regulations and consumer expectations.
When water leaves the City’s water treatment plant, it is lead free. The water mains in the street that transport water from the treatment plant are made mostly of iron and steel, and do not add lead to the drinking water.
Lead can get into drinking water from the plumbing inside your home or the service line between the street and your home. When water sits in the service line or your home plumbing without being used for several hours, the lead may dissolve into the water. For example, these time periods include when the water is first drawn in the morning or in the afternoon after not being used all day.
Lead was commonly used for water service lines until the 1950s, and also commonly used in household plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) and solder into the late 1980s, when it was banned. From 1986 to 2014, plumbing fixtures could contain up to 8% lead to be categorized as, “Lead free.” However, current standards for “lead-free” fixtures allow no more than 0.25% of lead content.
To determine if you are at risk for lead exposure from your drinking water, first determine if you have a lead service line. You can determine if you have a lead service line by performing a visual inspection of your service line.
You may also request a free inspection from the city by contacting the Newark Water and Sewer Department at (973) 733-6303 or waterandsewer@ci.newark.nj.us.
Use the Account Lookup tool to search our records for your home’s service line material.
Newark is committed to providing clean, safe and reliable drinking water to all of the City’s residents. The City is implementing both immediate and long-term measures to minimize lead levels throughout the system. Specifically, the City’s Water and Sewer Department is:
Executing a two-year construction program that offers to replace all lead service lines throughout the City. The program offers full lead service line replacements at no cost to the homeowners. To register or learn more about the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, visit the Lead Service Line Replacement Program page.
Expediting the Installing a corrosion control treatment system for the water treated at the at the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. The corrosion control treatment system will add Zinc Orthophosphate into the water, which helps minimize the process of lead leaching into the water from the service pipes and lead solder.
Regularly sampling and testing the drinking water to monitor lead levels in accordance with all federal and state safety standards.
Distributing free filters to Newark residents who live in single-family and multi-family homes that are supplied from the Pequannock Water System and have lead service lines or interior copper piping with lead solder. Visit the Filter Distribution Program page to learn more.
Providing free water service line testing and inspections to assist residents in determining if they have a lead service line on their property. To schedule and inspection, please contact the Newark Water and Sewer Department at (973) 733-6303 or waterandsewer@ci.newark.nj.us.
Purchase a water filter that removes lead, or pick up a free filter from one of Newark’s distribution centers.
Learn more about the Filter Distribution Program →
If you have a lead service line, register online to have it replaced.
Learn more about the Lead Service Line Replacement Program →
Always buy plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) that have zero-lead or low-lead content. Read the labels of any new plumbing fixtures closely.
Always use fresh, cold, running water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula.
Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water does not remove lead and can increase lead concentration in water.
Regularly remove and clean faucet screens and aerators.
Obtain an NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) Certified home water treatment device that is certified to remove lead.
Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead and any copper piping with lead solder.
Water service lines are sometimes used to ground electrical lines. The wiring in your home or building may be attached to your water service line or elsewhere in your plumbing. If you have a lead service line, this can accelerate its corrosion. Have a licensed electrician check your wiring.
Be careful of dust from lead-based paint. Even though lead-based paint was outlawed in 1978, many older homes have not removed it, and it may currently pose a hazard. The most common source of lead exposure in the homes is from the dust of lead-based paint.
Be careful of other sources of lead in your home. Some household items such as pottery, makeup, toys, and jewelry may contain lead. Wash your children’s hands and toys often.
Water Filter and Replacement Cartridge Distribution Program
Lead Service Line Replacement Program
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