Lead Line Inventory and Replacement Initiative

Background
 An amendment (effective date of December 2021) to NJ legislation Chapter 183 Title 58 that relates directly to lead in drinking water and specifically to water service line identification and replacement throughout the state. The statute is specific to the requirements water utilities must follow for the communication, timing and reporting of lead lines. The following outlines the goals and target dates of the legislation: 

Inventory
All Water Service Line (WSL) material composition - defined as main to curb stop (utility side) and curb stop to premises meter (customer side).

  • Provide an initial inventory by Feb. 2022 and notice to customers that have currently known lead service lines (either lead or galvanized) and then to those customers when found on an ongoing basis.
  • Provide a plan to the DEP by July 2022 for completing the inventory of all lead lines within two years of the start date.
  • Report to the DEP on progress of this plan every 6 months.

Replacement
All lead lines are to be replaced within the next ten years with at least 10 percent of the then known lead lines replaced per year.
NJAW is beginning work in South Orange on Monday, January 19, 2026 and will continue throughout 2026 and into 2027 until every water customer is tested for lead or galvanized lines, and if necessary, line replacement is completed. 

NJAW's Lead LIne Replacement Program
Detailed information is available on the NJAW website here: NJAW LEAD LINE REPLACEMENT

Known Lead Line Information by Property