Is Newark, DE Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Newark tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 11.64 ppt, PFOS: 7.4 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Newark Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Newark Compares
Newark's water is 82% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 87% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Delaware, it ranks #4 of 5 cities (19% below the state average of 31 PPM). Among smaller cities, Newark ranks #233 of 288 for hardness.
What Newark's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 25 PPM - Low Concern
Newark's water is slightly hard at 25 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Newark is softer than 87% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are a serious concern here. Newark has PFOA at 11.64 ppt and PFOS at 7.4 ppt — the EPA's 2024 limit is 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS individually. PFAS don't break down in your body or the environment. Research links long-term exposure to increased cancer risk, thyroid issues, and immune system problems. The fix: a whole-house activated carbon filter or a point-of-use reverse osmosis system. Look for NSF P473 certification — that's the standard that specifically tests for PFAS removal.
What's in the Treatment Process
Newark's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 48 ppb (60% of the legal limit, but 320x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 21.3 ppb (36% of the legal limit, but 213x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.346 ppb, which is 17x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 25 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 40 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 61.3 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 11.64 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 7.4 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.5 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 3.78 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Newark
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 11.64 ppt, PFOS: 7.4 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.5 mg/L chlorine, many Newark residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Newark
With PFAS at 61.3 ppt in Newark's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Newark Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
City averages miss neighborhood-level variation. Share your results to help your neighbors get better data.
We review every submission before publishing. Your ZIP is shown; your identity is not.
About Newark's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Newark Water
Water Source: White Clay Creek & Hoopes Reservoir (Surface Water)
Population Served: 40,000
Hardness: 25 PPM (1.5 grains per gallon)
Newark's drinking water comes from surface sources — White Clay Creek & Hoopes Reservoir. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 40,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Newark Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Newark Water in Newark, DE, including ZIP codes:
17536, 19347, 19350, 19351, 19352, 19360, 19362, 19363, 19701, 19702, 19711, 19712, 19713, 19714, 19715, 19716, 19717, 19718, 19725, 21901, 21911, 21914, 21916, 21920, 21921, 21922
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Newark to Other Delaware Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Newark Water
Is Newark tap water safe to drink?
Where does Newark's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Newark?
How do I remove PFAS from Newark tap water?
What water filter is best for Newark?
Is Newark water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Newark's water?
Is chromium-6 in Newark's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Newark Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 25 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Newark's water data.