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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 07021 Water Quality Report

Essex Fells, NJ · Essex County County

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

1

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

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Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 1 unresolved violation. Contact ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 07021

Tap water in ZIP code 07021 (Essex Fells, NJ) receives a C grade (score: 68/100) based on EPA monitoring data. While the water from ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT is treated and regulated, this area has a moderate violation history that residents should be aware of.

Water System

ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT

EPA ID: NJ0706001

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

2,200 residents

County

Essex County County, New Jersey

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Lead Levels in ZIP 07021

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 07021. This may occur with very small systems or systems that report under a parent utility. Contact ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT directly to request lead testing results or a copy of their Consumer Confidence Report.

Lead exposure risk in 07021 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 65% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This typically reflects older housing stock built before 1986 (when lead pipes were banned), aging distribution infrastructure, or detected lead levels in water samples. Families should prioritize getting their tap water tested independently and installing a certified lead-reducing filter.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

65%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT has recorded 1 violation, but none are health-based. Administrative or reporting violations don't directly indicate unsafe water, but they do signal gaps in documentation or monitoring procedures. 1 violation is currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility.

Total Violations (5 yr)
1
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
1
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Moderate. ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT has had occasional lapses in compliance but generally meets Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 07021. This means EPA monitoring has not found levels of regulated contaminants exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set under the Safe Drinking Water Act — a positive indicator of water quality compliance.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

3 enforcement actions have been issued against ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$7
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

1.31%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 07021 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 07021 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 07021?+
Tap water in 07021 (Essex Fells, NJ) is treated and regulated, but has a grade of C due to past violations. For most healthy adults, treated tap water is generally safe. Families with infants, young children, or immunocompromised individuals may want to use a certified water filter as a precaution.
What is the lead level in 07021 tap water?+
Lead level data from EPA monitoring is not available for 07021. Contact ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT directly for the most recent lead testing results.
Who provides tap water to 07021?+
Tap water in ZIP code 07021 is provided by ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT (EPA ID: NJ0706001). This system serves approximately 2,200 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 07021?+
ZIP code 07021 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 07021 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 1 unresolved violation on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 07021?+
Your water utility — ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 07021?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 07021, with a clean compliance record, a standard carbon block filter meeting NSF/ANSI 42 is a good choice for taste and as a precaution.
Is 07021 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Current EPA data for 07021 shows no available lead data — we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter as a precaution for infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 07021 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by ESSEX FELLS WATER DEPT. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →