NJ AMERICAN WATER - RARITAN: Lead Service Line Information
NJ American Water – Raritan serves about 615,000 people across parts of New Jersey. The utility has identified 9,906 lead service lines in its system.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home's water line to the main water main under the street. If your home was built before the 1980s, there's a meaningful chance your service line contains lead. Water sitting in a lead pipe can pick up lead particles, which is a health concern—especially for young children and pregnant people.
What NJ American Water has found
The utility has completed an inventory showing 9,906 lead service lines across its service territory. This is the count of lines they've confirmed as lead. The utility may still be working to identify and document additional lines, as full inventories take time.
What you should know about your risk
If you're in NJ American Water – Raritan's service area, your home may have a lead service line. The age of your home and the neighborhood you live in affect the likelihood. The only way to know for certain is to:
- Ask your water utility directly whether your specific address has a lead service line on file
- Have a licensed plumber inspect the pipe where it enters your home (it's often visible in the basement or crawl space)
What to do now
Even if you don't know whether you have a lead service line, you can reduce risk:
- Run water before using it for drinking or cooking. Let cold water run for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before filling a glass. This flushes out water that's been sitting in pipes.
- Use cold water for cooking and drinking. Hot water pulls lead from pipes more easily than cold water.
- Consider a pitcher filter or faucet filter certified to reduce lead (look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53).
If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or doctor about your water.
Next steps for residents
- Contact NJ American Water – Raritan directly to ask whether a lead service line is documented at your address
- Request information about their replacement program and timeline if a lead line is present
- If you don't have one already, install a water filter certified to reduce lead
- Have your water tested by a certified lab if you're concerned
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 9,906 |
|---|---|
| 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 in my house?
Contact your water utility with your address to check their inventory. You can also have a licensed plumber inspect the pipe where it enters your home. Lead pipe is soft, dull gray, and can be scratched with a coin.
Is lead in tap water dangerous?
Lead exposure can harm brain development in young children and cause health problems in adults. There is no safe level. Talk to your pediatrician or doctor about your specific situation, especially if you have young children.
What should I do if my house has a lead service line?
Run water before drinking or cooking, use cold water for consumption, and consider a certified water filter. Contact your utility about replacement programs—many utilities and states now offer funding to remove lead lines.
How long does it take to replace a lead service line?
Replacement typically takes a few hours, though it depends on the depth and location of the line. Contact your utility for details on their replacement timeline and whether they cover costs.