Lead Service Line Compliance in New Jersey
New Jersey water utilities are required by federal law to identify and report all lead service lines (LSLs) in their systems. Here's where the state stands.
Current Inventory Status
As of October 2024, New Jersey's 3,421 water utilities serving 9.5 million people have reported identifying 147,135 lead service lines. Importantly, utilities reported zero unknown service lines—meaning every connection in the state has been classified as either lead, non-lead, or not applicable.
This near-complete inventory is a major milestone. Under the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), utilities must know the material of every service line or face escalating requirements. New Jersey's utilities have met that threshold.
What This Means for Residents
A complete inventory doesn't mean your water is unsafe—it means your utility knows whether your line is lead or not. If your service line is lead, your utility must:
- Notify you in writing
- Offer a partial replacement program (at least 15% of known lines per year, starting in 2024)
- Provide free water testing and treatment options
If your service line is unknown or lead, you can take action immediately: use a water filter certified for lead (NSF/ANSI 53), let water run for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, and avoid hot tap water for consumption.
Finding Your System's Data
Your water utility is required to publish its lead service line inventory publicly. To find your system's specific counts and location maps:
1. Contact your local water utility directly—ask for their LCRR inventory report 2. Search the EPA's SDWIS database by your utility name or ZIP code 3. Check your utility's website for a lead service line map or inventory document
State Oversight
New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) serves as the state primacy agency for drinking water regulation. The state requires utilities to submit their inventories and replacement plans, though specific enforcement actions or compliance violation notices are not detailed in publicly available compliance reports at this time.
Next Steps for Residents
- Know your status: Call your water utility and ask if your address has a lead service line.
- Get testing: Request a free lead test if your line is known or suspected to be lead.
- Install protection: Use an NSF-certified lead filter on drinking and cooking water while replacement is pending.
- Track replacements: Ask your utility when your line will be replaced under their replacement program.
```json [ { "q": "Does New Jersey have a lot of lead service lines?", "a": "New Jersey's 3,421 utilities have identified 147,135 lead service lines serving 9.5 million people. This represents about 1.5% of connections statewide, but the risk varies by system and neighborhood. Ask your utility for your specific address." }, { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line in New Jersey?", "a": "Contact your local water utility and ask. They must tell you whether your service line is lead, non-lead, or unknown. You can also request a free water test to check for lead contamination." }, { "q": "Is New Jersey replacing lead service lines?", "a": "Yes. All New Jersey utilities with known lead lines must replace at least 15% per year starting in 2024. Contact your utility to ask when your street or property will be included in the replacement program." }, { "q": "What should I do if my water might contain lead?", "a": "Use a water filter certified for lead removal (NSF/ANSI 53 standard), run water for 30 seconds before use, and avoid hot tap water for drinking or cooking. Get your water tested through your utility or a certified lab. If you