Is Elizabeth, NJ Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Elizabeth tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 4.4 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Elizabeth Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Elizabeth Compares
Elizabeth's water is 54% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 65% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within New Jersey, Elizabeth has the 2nd hardest water out of 22 cities - 42% above the state average of 45 PPM. Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Elizabeth ranks #134 of 189 for hardness.
What Elizabeth's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 64 PPM - Low Concern
Elizabeth's water is moderately hard at 64 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Elizabeth has PFOA at 4.4 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Elizabeth's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 27 ppb (34% of the legal limit, but 180x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 18.8 ppb (31% of the legal limit, but 188x 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 0.123 ppb, which is 6.2x 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) | 64 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 89 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 7.95 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 4.4 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 2 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.9 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommendations for Elizabeth Homes
Recommended Filter for Elizabeth
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 4.4 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
How to Test Your Water in Elizabeth
With PFAS at 7.95 ppt in Elizabeth'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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabeth's Water Supply
Water Utility: Elizabethtown Water
Water Source: Raritan River system (Surface Water)
Population Served: 134,000
Hardness: 64 PPM (3.7 grains per gallon)
Elizabeth's drinking water comes from surface sources — Raritan River system. 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 134,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown Water in Elizabeth, NJ, including ZIP codes:
07016, 07027, 07033, 07036, 07061, 07091, 07201, 07202, 07203, 07204, 07205, 07206, 07207, 07208
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Elizabeth to Other New Jersey Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth Water
Is Elizabeth tap water safe to drink?
Where does Elizabeth's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Elizabeth?
How do I remove PFAS from Elizabeth tap water?
What water filter is best for Elizabeth?
Is Elizabeth water safe for babies and infants?
What is the hardness of Elizabeth water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Elizabeth'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 Elizabeth Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 64 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Elizabeth's water data.