HOBOKEN WATER UTILITY Lead Service Line Inventory

What you need to know

Hoboken Water Utility serves about 52,000 residents in Hoboken, New Jersey. The utility has identified 99 properties with lead service lines—the pipes that connect the public water main to individual homes.

Lead service lines are a real concern. When water sits in a lead pipe, especially if the water is acidic or soft, lead can dissolve into your drinking water. Infants, young children, and pregnant people are most vulnerable to lead's effects on brain development and learning. Even low levels of exposure matter.

The good news: lead service lines are fixable. Replacing them removes the source. In the meantime, you can reduce risk with practical steps.

What's in Hoboken's inventory

The utility has inventoried 99 service lines total. All 99 are confirmed lead. The utility drew this information from water main records, property surveys, or direct testing—the standard method for building these inventories.

An "unknown" service line means the utility hasn't yet determined the material (often because records are incomplete or the line hasn't been visually inspected). Hoboken's inventory shows no unknown lines currently listed, which is a step forward.

Your next steps if you're on this list

If your address appears in the inventory, your service line is lead. You have options:

Get your water tested. Contact Hoboken Water Utility and ask about free or low-cost testing. A certified lab can measure lead levels in your tap water. The EPA's action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb), but there is no truly "safe" level for children.

Replace your service line. Talk to the utility about replacement programs. New Jersey has state and federal funding available, including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Replacement costs vary by property, but assistance programs can reduce out-of-pocket expense.

Reduce exposure now. Use a certified lead filter on your drinking and cooking water. Let cold water run 30 seconds before using it (especially in the morning). Boiling does not remove lead.

Know your options. The utility can tell you whether they offer direct replacement, cost-sharing, or rebates. Some municipalities have accelerated timelines; ask Hoboken about theirs.

Next steps for residents

• Contact Hoboken Water Utility to confirm your address is on the lead inventory and ask about testing and replacement programs.
• Get your water tested through a certified lab if you have a lead service line or unknown material.
• Talk to your pediatrician or call the CDC (1-800-CDC-INFO) if you have health concerns, especially for young children.
• Install a certified lead filter on your kitchen tap as an interim step while planning replacement.

```json [ { "q": "Is lead in water dangerous for kids?", "a": "Yes. Lead can harm brain development, learning, and behavior in children. Even low levels of exposure matter. Contact your pediatrician or the CDC for health guidance specific to your child." }, { "q": "How do I know if my home has a lead service line?", "a": "Ask Hoboken Water Utility to check their records or send someone to inspect your property. You can also check LeadPipeLookup to see if your address is on the known inventory. Visual inspection is the most reliable method." }, { "q": "Can I remove lead from my tap water myself?", "a": "A certified lead filter (certified by NSF or WQA to standard 53) can reduce lead in drinking and cooking water. But filtering is temporary; replacing the service line is the only permanent solution." }, { "q": "Who pays to replace a lead service line?", "a": "Costs and responsibility vary. Hoboken may cover part of the replacement; state and federal programs offer funding. Contact the utility to learn about