Tap Water Results

Is Elizabeth, NJ tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

New Jersey American Water – Raritan, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

2 public water systems serve parts of Elizabeth. The largest, New Jersey American Water – Raritan, serves 615,430 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

New Jersey American Water – Raritan

615,430 people · Surface water · EPA ID NJ2004002

Buys treated water from New Jersey American Water – Short Hills, New Jersey American Water – Liberty, Middlesex Water Company, Newark Water Department.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
6.6 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
6.05 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
3.55 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 68% of the New Jersey systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 87% of the New Jersey systems EPA tested.

Lead: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full New Jersey American Water – Raritan results

Across New Jersey, 110 of 245 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 4 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. New Jersey results.

Elizabeth homes and lead pipes

73%
of homes built before 1980 (New Jersey 63%, US 50%)
40%
built before 1950 (New Jersey 24%)
74%
of households rent (New Jersey 36%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Elizabeth city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Elizabeth

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Newark 4 mi
Newark Water Department
Newark Water DepartmentAbove limit4.03 ppb
Bayonne 4 mi
City of Bayonne
City of BayonneNone above limits2.07 ppb
Irvington 4 mi
Newark Water Department
Newark Water DepartmentAbove limit4.03 ppb
Rahway 6 mi
Rahway Water Department
Rahway Water DepartmentNone above limits0 ppb
Maplewood 6 mi
New Jersey American Water – Short Hills
New Jersey American Water – Short HillsAbove limit3 ppb
East Orange 7 mi
Newark Water Department
Newark Water DepartmentAbove limit4.03 ppb
Elizabeth ZIP codes (4)
  • 07201
  • 07202
  • 07206
  • 07208

Questions

Is Elizabeth tap water safe to drink?

New Jersey American Water – Raritan has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Elizabeth, NJ?

2 public water systems serve parts of Elizabeth. The largest is New Jersey American Water – Raritan (615,430 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Elizabeth tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at New Jersey American Water – Raritan. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Elizabeth homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 73% of Elizabeth homes as built before 1980 (New Jersey: 63%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. New Jersey American Water – Raritan's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.