Is Lawrence, NJ tap water safe?

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

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Trenton Water Works.

3 public water systems serve parts of Lawrence. The largest, Trenton Water Works, serves 217,000 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Trenton Water Works

217,000 people · Surface water · EPA ID NJ1111001

Buys treated water from Aqua NJ – Hamilton Square.

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
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.

Lead: 6 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: 20

Full Trenton Water Works 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.

Lawrence homes and lead pipes

51%

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

11%

built before 1950 (New Jersey 24%)

33%

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

Other water systems serving Lawrence

Aqua NJ – Lawrence
8,655 people · Groundwater under influence of surface water · New Jersey · lists this city
PFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit
Lawrenceville School Water System
1,200 people · Groundwater · New Jersey · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Ewing 5 mi Trenton Water Works	Trenton Water Works	None above limits	6 ppb
Trenton 5 mi Trenton Water Works	Trenton Water Works	None above limits	6 ppb
Hamilton 7 mi Trenton Water Works	Trenton Water Works	None above limits	6 ppb
East Windsor 10 mi East Windsor Municipal Utilities Authority	East Windsor Municipal Utilities Authority	None above limits	1.61 ppb
South Brunswick 12 mi South Brunswick Township Water Division	South Brunswick Township Water Division	Above limit	0 ppb
Franklin 15 mi New Jersey American Water – Short Hills	New Jersey American Water – Short Hills	Above limit	3 ppb

Lawrence ZIP codes (1)

08648

Questions

Is Lawrence tap water safe to drink?

Trenton Water Works had 20 health-based violations since 2016. 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 Lawrence, NJ?

3 public water systems serve parts of Lawrence. The largest is Trenton Water Works (217,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Lawrence tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Trenton Water Works had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Lawrence homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 51% of Lawrence 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. Trenton Water Works'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.