Essex County, New Jersey
Water softeners and filtration in Essex County
Most of Essex County drinks reservoir water. Newark runs its own utility fed by the Pequannock Watershed, Montclair blends reservoir water with three township wells, and much of the western suburbs is served by New Jersey American Water.
- Free installation
Where we install
Where we install in Essex County
Your water depends on where it comes from, so here's who supplies each town. On a private well, your well is the supplier.
Newark, NJ
Water: Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities
Water in NewarkMontclair, NJ
Water: Montclair Water Bureau
Water in MontclairWest Orange, NJ
Water: NJ American Water (Short Hills system)
Maplewood, NJ
Water: NJ American Water (Short Hills system)
Millburn, NJ
Water: New Jersey American Water
Livingston, NJ
Water: Livingston Township and NJ American Water
Don't see your town? We cover all of Essex County. Take the quiz or call (856) 276-5310.
Water quality
Water quality in Essex County
What state and federal testing shows about water here. Your own test shows what's in your home.
Private wells in Essex County
Only 139 private wells were tested here from 2002 to 2014; almost every home is on public water.
Local findings
Newark replaced its lead pipes
After high lead readings, Newark replaced all of its roughly 24,000 lead service lines between March 2019 and February 2022 and added corrosion-control treatment.
Newark's filters now use carbon
The Pequannock Water Treatment Plant replaced its filter media with granular activated carbon, which also removes organic matter that forms disinfection byproducts.
Montclair's wells are much harder
In Montclair's latest report the township wells measured 350 mg/L hardness, more than eight times the 42 mg/L of the reservoir water it buys.
Public water reports
Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities
2025 test results · public water system NJ0714001
- Where it comes from
- Mostly the Pequannock Watershed, 35,000 acres the city owns in North Jersey, treated at the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. Some water comes from the Wanaque Reservoir through the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission.
- Disinfectant
- Chlorine. The highest annual average in the system was 2.67 ppm, with single readings from 0.36 to 3.85 ppm (the limit is 4).
- Hardness
- Not listed in the report. We measure it at your tap during the water test.
- PFAS
- PFOA averaged as high as 4.15 ppt and PFOS 2.18 ppt, measured where Wanaque water enters the city. Both are under New Jersey's limits; the PFOA figure is just above the federal 4.0 ppt limit that takes effect in 2029.
- Lead
- Lead at the 90th percentile was 0 ppb, and no tested home was over the action level.
Montclair Water Bureau
2025 test results · public water system NJ0713001
- Where it comes from
- Mostly bought from the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (Wanaque and Monksville reservoirs), plus three township wells, one in each pressure zone.
- Disinfectant
- Chlorine, averaging 0.89 ppm across Montclair's system (0.23 to 1.54 ppm).
- Hardness
- Very different by source: the township wells tested at 350 mg/L (about 20.5 gpg, very hard) and the reservoir water at 42 mg/L (about 2.5 gpg, soft).
- PFAS
- No PFOA or PFNA was found in Montclair's own wells. The purchased reservoir water had PFOA up to 4.47 ppt. The wells only run with carbon treatment, and the Rand Well is due for PFAS treatment.
- Lead
- Lead at the 90th percentile was not detected, and none of the 32 homes tested was over the action level.
Across the region
Arsenic in private wells
New Jersey's Piedmont region has the state's highest rate of arsenic in private wells: about 17% exceed the state standard. It comes naturally from minerals in the bedrock, and you can't see, taste, or smell it.
PFAS limits
New Jersey was the first state to set limits for PFAS "forever chemicals": 14 parts per trillion for PFOA and 13 for PFOS and PFNA. Public utilities must meet them. Private wells are only tested when a home is sold or leased.
Hardness varies by town
New Jersey's median tap water is moderately hard, about 5 grains per gallon, and it changes a lot from one supplier to the next. Your water test tells you exactly where you stand.
Our systems
The systems Essex County homes usually need
Complete Home System
City-water homes that want every tap and appliance protected at once
Details about the Complete Home System
Whole-Home Carbon Filter
City-water homes bothered by chlorine but not hard water
Details about the Whole-Home Carbon Filter
Tankless Alkaline RO
Replacing bottled water for drinking and cooking
Details about the Tankless Alkaline RO
- Free installation
FAQ
Essex County FAQs
Can't find what you're looking for? Call (856) 276-5310. A real person picks up.
Who supplies drinking water in Essex County?
It depends on the town: Newark is served by Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities; Montclair is served by Montclair Water Bureau; West Orange is served by NJ American Water (Short Hills system); Maplewood is served by NJ American Water (Short Hills system). If your home has its own well pump and pressure tank, your well is your supply. We install in every town in Essex County, on either kind of water.
What should I test my well for in Essex County?
New Jersey's Private Well Testing Act requires a test before a home with a well is sold, and every five years for rentals; in Essex County it must include uranium. The local geology also makes naturally occurring arsenic worth checking.
Water quiz
Find the right system for your home
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