Is New Brunswick, NJ Tap Water Safe to Drink?
New Brunswick tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 6.28 ppt, PFOS: 5 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where New Brunswick Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How New Brunswick Compares
New Brunswick's water is 65% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 72% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within New Jersey, it ranks #11 of 22 cities (7% above the state average of 45 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), New Brunswick ranks #202 of 258 for hardness.
What New Brunswick's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 48 PPM - Low Concern
New Brunswick's water is slightly hard at 48 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. 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. New Brunswick has PFOA at 6.28 ppt and PFOS at 5 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
New Brunswick's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 48.1 ppb (60% of the legal limit, but 321x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 33.5 ppb (56% of the legal limit, but 335x 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 0.0851 ppb, which is 4.3x 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) | 48 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 67 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 18.89 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 6.28 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 5 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 2.1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.4 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.323 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for New Brunswick
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 6.28 ppt, PFOS: 5 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.4 mg/L chlorine, many New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick
With PFAS at 18.89 ppt in New Brunswick'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 Brunswick Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About New Brunswick's Water Supply
Water Utility: New Brunswick Water
Water Source: Delaware & Raritan Canal (Surface Water)
Population Served: 55,000
Hardness: 48 PPM (2.8 grains per gallon)
New Brunswick's drinking water comes from surface sources — Delaware & Raritan Canal. 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 55,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request New Brunswick 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 Brunswick Water in New Brunswick, NJ, including ZIP codes:
07726, 08816, 08823, 08828, 08850, 08871, 08873, 08875, 08882, 08884, 08901, 08902, 08903, 08904, 08906, 08933, 08989
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare New Brunswick to Other New Jersey Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About New Brunswick Water
Is New Brunswick tap water safe to drink?
Where does New Brunswick's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in New Brunswick?
How do I remove PFAS from New Brunswick tap water?
What water filter is best for New Brunswick?
Is New Brunswick water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in New Brunswick's water?
Is chromium-6 in New Brunswick'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 New Brunswick Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 48 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on New Brunswick's water data.