New Jersey American Water owns a portion of the service line, typically from the main to the curb stop, found near the street curb or sidewalk. The property owner owns the rest of the service line (from curb stop) all the way into the house or building being served. The curb stop is an outdoor shut-off valve, this may be a water meter pit or a valve. See diagram. 
 
As part of our Lead Service Line Replacement Program, if the customer-owned service line is determined to be lead or galvanized steel, we will work with the property owner to replace the service line at no direct cost at the time of replacement.

A water service line is a pipe that connects a customer’s house or building to the water main in the street. Typically, the service line is less than 2-inch in diameter and is made of various material. The most common material in use is copper, however other materials have been used including, but not limited to, galvanized steel, iron, plastic, lead and others.

New Jersey American Water owns a portion of the service line, typically from the main to the curb stop, found near the street curb or sidewalk. The property owner owns the rest of the service line (from curb stop) all the way into the house or building being served. The curb stop is an outdoor shut-off valve, this may be a water meter pit or a valve. See diagram. 
 
As part of our Lead Service Line Replacement Program, if the customer-owned service line is determined to be lead or galvanized steel, we will work with the property owner to replace the service line at no direct cost at the time of replacement.

Since a portion of the service line is owned by the property owner, historically utilities were not tracking the pipe material on the customer-owned side of the service line. As part of our Lead Service Line Replacement Program, we developed an interactive and public facing inventory online and we are encouraging all customers to help self-identify their service line material if listed as unknown.

Over the years, plumbers have used many different materials, including copper, PVC, lead, galvanized steel, and others. We encourage all customers to visit our inventory map to see what material is listed for their property. If the customer-owned service line to your home is listed as unknown, you can help support our Lead Service Line Replacement Program by locating and identifying your water service line and submitting a survey with your findings. This can be done in three easy steps and using simple household items such as a magnet and a coin to identify the material of the water service line. Instructions on how to identify your line – including a video tutorial – and a special portal to submit your findings can be found here. 

We will prioritize projects based on the Lead Service Line Replacement Program’s prioritization plan as well in areas where there is evidence of lead service lines and/or in areas where known construction work is taking place and may disturb the service line, thereby elevating the possibility of potential exposure. We are committed to replacing all lead and galvanized service lines by 2031.  

To learn more on our prioritization plan, click here. 

We are committed to replacing all lead and galvanized service lines by 2031 and will be replacing these service lines in accordance with our prioritization model. We will not be replacing identified lead and galvanized service lines upon request, but rather as a programmed and planned activity to achieve as many economies of scale as possible in completing the replacements. 
 
Important: Customers can still use their water as they normally would, as the water provided by New Jersey American Water continues to meet state and federal water quality standards, including those set for lead. 

As part of our Lead Service Line Replacement Program, we will be replacing lead and galvanized service lines in accordance with our prioritization model. The company will not be replacing lead service lines upon request, but rather as a programmed and planned activity to achieve as many economies of scale as possible in completing lead service line replacements.  
 
As part of the state law, if a customer refuses to have the customer-owned portion of the service line replaced, we will proceed with replacing the utility-owned portion of the service line and will connect the new service to the existing service at the customer property line. We will communicate with the customer about lead and drinking water, health effects, exposures to lead, flushing recommendations, ways to reduce potential exposure to lead, testing for lead, frequently asked questions, and further contact information.

While New Jersey American Water will be in compliance with the required replacement of all lead service lines within the next ten years, we understand that some customers may desire an expedited replacement for their home. Customers always have the option of replacing their portion of the service line through their own contractor at their own expense, not reimbursed by the company. In these cases, it’s very important for the homeowner and/or their plumber to contact us ahead of time.

Beginning on February 13, 2023, New Jersey American Water added the Lead Service Line Replacement Charge to customers’ bills. This rate change is to recover the cost of replacing customer-owned lead service lines and was approved by the Board of Public Utilities on October 12, 2022 as part of the company’s Lead Service Line Replacement Plan.  

To learn more, please read the company’s press release on the charge. The cost of replacing lead service lines will be handled through the company’s Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Charge – a small charge added to customers’ water bills. 

Yes. The EPA’s lead standard is an action level that requires treatment modifications if lead test results exceed 15 parts per billion (ppb) in more than 10 percent of first draw samples taken from household taps. 

We regularly test for lead at the end of its treatment process. Testing has shown that lead is not an issue in the water exiting any of our water treatment facilities. We also conduct tests in our distribution system in accordance with the EPA regulatory requirements. In addition, we take steps to reduce the potential of lead leaching from service lines and household plumbing into the water by managing the pH levels in the water leaving our treatment facilities and adding a corrosion inhibitor where needed. 

Not necessarily. You might have lead in your drinking water if your service line, household plumbing or fixtures contain lead. Lead test strips that test for the presence of lead in plumbing are available at hardware stores. 
 
Homes built before 1930 are more likely to have lead plumbing systems. Lead pipes are dull grey color and scratch easily revealing a shiny surface. If your house was built before February 1987, you are more likely to have lead-soldered joints on copper piping. Lead solder is a silver or grey color. If you do, the chance of the lead leaching into your drinking water is greater when water has been standing in the pipes for many hours or overnight.

You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling water will not remove lead. Here are steps you can take to reduce your potential exposure if lead exists in your home plumbing. 

• Flush your taps. The longer the water lies dormant in your home’s plumbing, the more lead it might contain. If the water in your faucet has gone unused for more than 6 hours, flush the tap with cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or using it to cook. To conserve water, catch the running water and use it to water your plants. 

• Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water has the potential to contain more lead than cold water. If hot water is needed for cooking, heat cold water on the stove or in the microwave. 
• Routinely remove and clean all faucet aerators. 
• Look for the “Lead Free” label when replacing or installing plumbing fixtures. 
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for replacing water filters in household appliances, such as refrigerators and ice makers, as well as home water treatment units and pitchers. Look for NSF 53 certified filters. 
• Flush after plumbing changes. Changes to your service line, meter, or interior plumbing may result in sediment, possibly containing lead, in your water supply. Remove the strainers from each faucet and run the water for 3 to 5 minutes. 

For customers with lead services, solder or fixtures, yes. The longer the water lies dormant in your home’s plumbing, the more lead it might contain. See the steps listed on the Assessing and Reducing Your Exposure page. 

You can have your water tested for lead. Since you cannot see, taste or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of knowing.

We do not provide testing for lead for individual customers who request it. Customers can choose to have their water tested at their cost at a certified laboratory. Lead test strips that test for the presence of lead in plumbing are also available at hardware stores.

The need for a home treatment device is a customer decision. If you choose to purchase a home filter, NSF International created a Consumer Guide to NSF Certified Lead Filtration Devices for Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water. For more information, visit www.nsf.org/info/leadfiltrationguide. Always consult the device manufacturer for information on treatment device maintenance and potential impacts to your drinking water or household plumbing.

Possibly. If grounding wires from electrical systems are attached to household plumbing, corrosion and potential lead exposure may be greater. Customers can choose to pay to have an electrician check the house wiring.

You can find out more information by visiting our More Resources page.