01The verdict: is Nutley Town-0716 water safe?
Nutley Town-0716's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C (63/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 29,500 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
13 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓HAA5 is approaching its limit
Measured at 49.0 µg/L — 82% of the 60 µg/L limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Nutley Town-0716's drinking water received a grade of C (63 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 29,500 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. PFAS testing under UCMR 5 found no detectable forever chemicals. The system has 75 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 13 remain unresolved.
Nutley Town-0716 ranks #314 out of 426 cities in New Jersey for water quality, placing it below average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Haloacetic acid (HAA5) levels were elevated at 49.0 µg/L in UCMR 4 testing, though below the 60 µg/L EPA limit. Activated carbon filtration can help reduce these disinfection byproducts. Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.09 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration. The system has seen 16 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Nutley Town-0716's water
Every contaminant flagged in Nutley Town-0716, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| lithium LithiumInorganic A naturally occurring alkali metal found in groundwater. Monitored under UCMR 5 to assess occurrence in drinking water. Health EffectsKidney effects at high doses. Low-level exposure effects under study; some research suggests neurological effects. EPA LimitNo MCL (monitoring only under UCMR 5) Common SourcesNatural mineral deposits, geothermal water, and industrial discharge. | ND | HI | µg/L | PFAS | Not Detected |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in New Jersey
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in New Jersey
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Nutley Town-0716's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 75 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 13 remain unresolved.
0 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 12 ppb since 1992. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Nutley Town-0716's water comes from
Nutley Town-0716's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
29,500 people
Residents served across Nutley Town-0716's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 29,500 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUTLEY WATER DEPT | NJ0716001 | 29,500 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Nutley Town-0716
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Nutley Town-0716's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Nutley Town-0716's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Essex County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Essex County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Nutley Town-0716 compares
Scores for nearby New Jersey cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New Jersey average (72/100)
Nutley Town-0716 scores 63/100 — below the New Jersey average of 72/100. Full New Jersey rankings →
72.3 / 100BBergenfield Boro-0203, NJ
72.3 / 100BBogota Boro-0204, NJ
72.3 / 100BCarlstadt Boro-0205, NJ
72.3 / 100BCliffside Park Boro-0206, NJ
72.3 / 100BCloster Boro-0207, NJ
72.3 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Nutley Town-0716's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Nutley Town-0716's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Nutley Town-0716 alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Nutley Town-0716, NJ tap water safe to drink?
Nutley Town-0716's water quality earned a grade of C (63/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #314 out of 426 cities tested in New Jersey.
What contaminants are in Nutley Town-0716's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). No PFAS compounds were detected. 75 violations are on record.
How is Nutley Town-0716's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Nutley Town-0716?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Nutley Town-0716's water come from?
Nutley Town-0716's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 29,500 residents.
What health violations has Nutley Town-0716's water system had?
Nutley Town-0716 has 13 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2026. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 13 violations remain unresolved.
How does Nutley Town-0716's water compare to other cities?
Nutley Town-0716 ranks #314 out of 426 cities in New Jersey (better than 26% of state cities) and #11618 out of 15382 cities nationally (25th percentile). The grade of C reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.