Is Lakewood, NJ Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Lakewood tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 6.93 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Lakewood Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Lakewood Compares
Lakewood's water is 80% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 85% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within New Jersey, it ranks #20 of 22 cities (38% below the state average of 45 PPM). Among smaller cities, Lakewood ranks #223 of 288 for hardness.
What Lakewood's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 28 PPM - Low Concern
Lakewood's water is slightly hard at 28 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Lakewood is softer than 84% 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 worth watching here. Lakewood has PFOA at 6.93 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
Lakewood's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 12.3 ppb (15% of the legal limit, but 82x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 4.48 ppb (7% of the legal limit, but 45x 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 0.0561 ppb, which is 2.8x 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) | 28 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 35 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 74.04 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 6.93 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 2.1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.6 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.436 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Lakewood
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 6.93 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
How to Test Your Water in Lakewood
With PFAS at 74.04 ppt in Lakewood'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 New Jersey American 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 Lakewood's Water Supply
Water Utility: New Jersey American Water
Water Source: Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer (Surface Water)
Population Served: 27,614
Hardness: 28 PPM (1.6 grains per gallon)
Lakewood's drinking water comes from surface sources — Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer. 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 28,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request New Jersey American 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 New Jersey American Water in Lakewood, NJ, including ZIP codes:
07703, 07710, 07711, 07712, 07715, 07717, 07719, 07720, 07722, 07723, 07724, 07727, 07728, 07731, 07740, 07753, 07754, 07755, 07756, 07757, 07762, 07763, 07764, 08514, 08527, 08701, 08720, 08724, 08730, 08733, 08736, 08742, 08750
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Lakewood to Other New Jersey Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Lakewood Water
Is Lakewood tap water safe to drink?
Where does Lakewood's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Lakewood?
How do I remove PFAS from Lakewood tap water?
What water filter is best for Lakewood?
Is Lakewood water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Lakewood's water?
Is chromium-6 in Lakewood'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 Lakewood Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 28 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Lakewood's water data.