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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 08875 Water Quality & Testing Report

Somerset, NJ · Somerset County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 08875 (Somerset, NJ)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 08875 (Somerset, NJ) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (68/100) due to 2 health violation(s) and 1.3 ppb lead. While treated by Franklin Township Department of Public Works, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

2

Total Violations

14

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

1

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 8 unresolved violations. Contact Franklin Township Department of Public Works for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 08875

Tap water in ZIP code 08875 (Somerset, NJ) is distributed by Franklin Township Department of Public Works (EPA ID: NJ1808001), serving approximately 57,150 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 68/100.

Water System

Franklin Township Department of Public Works

EPA ID: NJ1808001

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

57,150 residents

County

Somerset County County, New Jersey

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Lead Levels in ZIP 08875

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

Lead Level: 1.3 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 08875 is 1.3 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
1.30 ppb (0.0013 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
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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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Soft3.4 GPG · 58 mg/L

Water in ZIP 08875 is classified as Soft (58 mg/L / 3.4 GPG). Soft water produces abundant soap lather, prevents scale buildup in water heaters, and does not leave spots on dishes.

Recommendation: No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.4 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

58 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Very Low

Interactive Water Safety & Filter Matcher

Personalized for ZIP 08875 (Somerset, NJ)

Free Tool

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Franklin Township Department of Public Works · PWSID: NJ1808001

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Franklin Township Department of Public Works has recorded 2 health-based violations out of 14 total violations over the past 5 years. 8 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
14
Health-Based Violations
2
Unresolved Violations
8
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Stage 1 DBP Rule.

Stage 1 DBP Rule

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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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
CCR Source Classification
Surface Water (Purchased)
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 08875

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 08875 served by Franklin Township Department of Public Works can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in NJ for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 08875 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

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 08875 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 08875?+
Tap water in 08875 (Somerset, NJ) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 08875 (Somerset, NJ)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 08875, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in NJ. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 08875?+
Tap water in 08875 is classified as Soft with an estimated mineral hardness of 58 mg/L (3.4 GPG). No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Should I test private well water in 08875?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 08875 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 08875 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 08875 is 1.3 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 08875?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 08875. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 08875?+
Tap water in ZIP code 08875 is provided by Franklin Township Department of Public Works (EPA ID: NJ1808001), serving approximately 57,150 residents.
What water filter should I use in 08875?+
Based on water metrics for 08875, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Chemical Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 08875 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 Franklin Township Department of Public Works. 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 →