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.

Replacing a lead or galvanized service line has been shown to potentially cause temporary increases in lead levels. Using a pitcher filter designed to remove lead from drinking water for 6 months after a lead service line replacement can help reduce your overall exposure to lead.

New Jersey American Water recently replaced a lead or galvanized service line at your home. The U.S. EPA recommends using a pitcher filter for drinking water for 6 months after a lead service line replacement to reduce potential exposure to lead.

The U.S. EPA recommends using a pitcher filter for drinking water for 6 months after a lead service line replacement to help reduce potential exposure to lead. Filtered water should be used for drinking, making hot beverages, cooking food, and preparing infant formula. Non-filtered water can be used for other activities, such as showering and bathing.

Yes. Human skin does not absorb lead in water, and brushing teeth is not typically identified as an exposure route. To be sure, avoid swallowing large amounts of water while brushing your teeth.

To be safe, pets should be given filtered drinking water as well.

No, boiling water will not remove lead.

It is recommended to use filters that are certified to NSF Standard 53, which can be used for lead removal for drinking and cooking if maintained as recommended by the manufacturer. For guidance on verifying if your filter is certified to remove lead, see NSF International’s guide to certified filtration devices.

If you have a built-in filter, you should verify that the filter is certified to NSF Standard 53 for lead removal for drinking and cooking before using it for drinking or making ice. For guidance on verifying if your refrigerator filter is certified to remove lead, see NSF International’s guide to certified filtration devices.

If you do not have a built-in filter in your refrigerator that is certified to NSF Standard 53 for lead removal, you should prepare ice in trays using water from the provided pitcher filter.

Some home treatment devices can remove lead from drinking water, while some treatment devices will not. Be sure to read the treatment system manufacturer’s materials to determine if your treatment device is effective at removing lead, and look for the NSF Standard 53 certification for your device.

Yes, but please keep in mind water softeners are not intended to remove lead, so it is important to use the pitcher filter that was provided. Further, not properly maintaining a water softener could have a negative impact on the corrosivity of the water in your home, so please review your manufacturer’s recommendations on operation and maintenance.

U.S. EPA recommends using a pitcher filter for 6 months after the replacement of a lead service line.

It is important to replace the filter when the indicator is lit using the cartridges provided. At the time you were provided the pitcher filter, you were also provided with cartridges that are designed to last 6 months. If you run out of cartridges within 6 months of the replacement of your lead service line, please contact us on the form above. In addition, replacement cartridges are available from a number of retailers.

About 3 months after the service line replacement, New Jersey American Water will send you a lead sample kit so we can determine the quality of the water in your home. Please follow the instructions for collecting a sample so we can provide you with accurate information about the quality of your water and discuss appropriate next steps. Until that time, you should use the pitcher filter provided and take additional steps as described to help reduce your risk of exposure to lead.

New Jersey American Water will work with you to try to identify the potential cause of the elevated sample. This may include collecting additional samples, working with you to review your internal plumbing and fixtures or other activities.

No. If you wish to continue using the pitcher filter after 6 months, it is important to replace the cartridge as specified by the manufacturer; replacement cartridges are available from a number of retailers.

No, there is no charge to you for the pitcher filter or replacement cartridges for the first 6 months.

New Jersey American Water has determined that you did not have a lead or galvanized service line; therefore, a pitcher filter was not provided.

We will provide a pitcher filter when we replace your lead or galvanized service line. In the meantime, please remember that New Jersey American Water takes steps to reduce the potential for lead to leach from your pipes into the water. This is accomplished by adding a corrosion inhibitor to the water leaving our treatment facilities, where needed. Some source waters are non-aggressive by nature, meaning there is no need to add corrosion control treatment.

We are phasing-in distribution of pitcher filters into New Jersey American Water’s lead service line replacement program in advance of the regulatory requirements. The requirements do not take effect until late 2024. As a reminder, using a pitcher filter is only one step customers can take to help reduce their risk from lead in drinking water.

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.

1. Replace any lead service lines. If you have a lead service line, replace it.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Routinely remove and clean all faucet aerators.
5. Check to see if your interior plumbing or faucets contain lead and replace any that do. Look for the “Lead Free” label when replacing or installing plumbing fixtures.
6. 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.
7. 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 aerator from each faucet and run the water for 3 to 5 minutes.