Is Lakewood, NJ tap water safe?

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

New Jersey American Water – Coastal North, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA) 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 Lakewood. The largest, New Jersey American Water – Coastal North, serves 377,613 people, and 2 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

New Jersey American Water – Coastal North

377,613 people · Surface water · EPA ID NJ1345001

Buys treated water from Marlboro Township Water Utility Division.

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Above limit	7.15 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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 72% of the New Jersey systems EPA tested.

Lead: 2 ppb at the 90th percentile (Jun 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Full New Jersey American Water – Coastal North 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.

Lakewood homes and lead pipes

35%

of homes built before 1980 (New Jersey 63%, US 50%)

built before 1950 (New Jersey 24%)

49%

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 Lakewood township (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Lakewood

Lakewood Township Municipal Utilities Authority
27,614 people · Purchased surface water · New Jersey · lists this city
PFOA above limit

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Brick 5 mi New Jersey American Water – Coastal North	New Jersey American Water – Coastal North	Above limit	2 ppb
Howell 7 mi New Jersey American Water – Coastal North	New Jersey American Water – Coastal North	Above limit	2 ppb
Wall 8 mi Wall Township Water Dept	Wall Township Water Dept	Above limit	0.52 ppb
Jackson 9 mi Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority	Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority	None above limits	0 ppb
Berkeley 11 mi Aqua NJ – Eastern Division	Aqua NJ – Eastern Division	None above limits	0 ppb
Freehold 11 mi New Jersey American Water – Coastal North	New Jersey American Water – Coastal North	Above limit	2 ppb

Lakewood ZIP codes (1)

08701

Questions

Is Lakewood tap water safe to drink?

New Jersey American Water – Coastal North had 1 health-based violation 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 Lakewood, NJ?

2 public water systems serve parts of Lakewood. The largest is New Jersey American Water – Coastal North (377,613 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Lakewood tap water have PFAS?

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

Do Lakewood homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 35% of Lakewood 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 – Coastal North'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.