Lead Service Lines in Southeast Morris County, NJ
What you need to know
Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority serves about 62,000 people in New Jersey. The utility has identified 54 lead service lines in its water system so far.
A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home to the water main under the street. If your line is made of lead, it can contaminate your drinking water—especially in homes with children, pregnant people, or nursing mothers.
Your service area
The utility draws water from surface sources (lakes or rivers). This region's water naturally requires treatment to reduce lead leaching from pipes, which your utility does through corrosion control—a standard safeguard.
What's been inventoried
As of now, the utility has inventoried 54 service lines and confirmed them as lead. They may still be working to locate and test additional lines in their system—it's a slow process that involves checking property records and sometimes digging.
The utility has not yet published a public inventory map online. Contact them directly to:
- Ask if your address has been inspected
- Learn the results of any testing at your property
- Find out when replacement work might happen in your area
Protecting your water right now
If your service line is lead or unknown:
- Run cold water for 30 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking each time you haven't used it for several hours.
- Use cold water only for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches more lead).
- Install a point-of-use filter certified for lead (NSF Standard 53).
- Get your water tested if you're concerned. Your pediatrician or local health department can advise.
If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your doctor about whether additional precautions make sense for your household.
Next steps for residents
- Contact the utility at Southeast Morris County MUA to ask about your property's service line status.
- Request the full inventory to see how many lines remain unknown or untested.
- Ask about replacement timelines and whether any funding or assistance programs are available.
- Get your water tested through a certified lab if you want to know your home's lead level.
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Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 54 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
How do I know if I have a lead service line?
Contact Southeast Morris County MUA and give them your address—they can check their records and tell you what material your service line is made of. If you're unsure, you can also hire a plumber to inspect it or have your water tested by a certified lab.
Is lead in drinking water dangerous?
Lead is toxic and can affect brain development in young children and harm other organs at any age. The CDC recommends that anyone concerned about lead exposure in their home contact their pediatrician or local health department for guidance.
How long does it take to replace a lead service line?
Replacement usually takes a few hours to a day per property. Ask your utility about their replacement schedule and whether they have funding or cost-sharing programs available.
Can I get lead out of my water without replacing the pipe?
A point-of-use filter certified for lead (NSF Standard 53) can reduce lead at your tap. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if your line is lead or unknown. But replacement is the only permanent solution.