Does New Jersey require lead water service lines to be replaced?

Yes. P.L.2021, c.183, signed in July 2021, requires every public community water system in NJ to inventory its service lines, notify customers served by lead or galvanized lines, and replace all of them within 10 years, so by 2031. The law allows up to 15 years in limited cases if a system needs it to comply.

Are galvanized pipes treated like lead pipes under NJ law?

Yes. Under New Jersey's definition, a galvanized service line counts as a lead service line, and so does a lead gooseneck or pigtail connector, even if the rest of the line is copper.

Can I refuse a lead service line replacement?

A property owner can decline replacement of the portion they own, but the refusal has to be renewed each year while the program runs. Your water system cannot shut off your water just because you denied access for the replacement.

Can the water company replace only its half of the line?

Generally no. NJ law bans partial lead service line replacements except during an emergency, such as a main or service line break, or during a water main replacement, because partial replacements can temporarily raise lead levels.

How do I tell if my service line is lead?

Look where the water line enters your home, usually in the basement near the meter. Gently scratch the pipe with a key: lead is dull gray, scratches to shiny silver, and a magnet won't stick. Galvanized steel is gray and a magnet sticks. Copper is penny-colored. Many utilities, including New Jersey American Water, have an online map and a self-report form.

New Jersey Lead Service Line Replacement: Who Pays, and What Homeowners Need to Do

Name: Linden Plumbing Connect
Address: Linden, NJ, 07036, US
Telephone: +13475488487
Price range: Free referral

Updated October 19, 2026 · Statewide law, with local details for Linden and nearby Union County towns

Short answer: New Jersey's Lead Service Line Replacement Law (P.L.2021, c.183) requires every community water system to find and replace all lead and galvanized service lines, including the part on your property, by 2031. Whether you pay anything depends on your water system. In Linden, New Jersey American Water says confirmed lead or galvanized lines are replaced at no direct, out-of-pocket cost once you sign a consent agreement.

What is a service line, and which part do you own?

The service line is the pipe that carries water from the main under the street into your house. It usually has two owners:

Public side: from the main to roughly the curb stop or property line, owned by the water system.
Private side: from the property line into the building, owned by you.

Under NJ's definition, a line counts as a lead service line if it's made of or lined with lead, if it's galvanized steel, or if it has a lead gooseneck or pigtail connector anywhere, even when the rest of the pipe is copper. The replacement has to remove all lead portions, typically at least 3 feet past where the pipe enters the building, or past the meter up to the shutoff valve.

What the law requires of water systems

Requirement	What it means for you
Service line inventory	Your water system must identify what your line is made of, and it may ask to inspect it or dig a small test hole near the meter or curb stop.
Notice to customers	If your home is served by a lead, galvanized or "unknown" line, you'll get a written notice.
Replace at least 10% a year	Replacements happen neighborhood by neighborhood. Every lead line must be replaced within 10 years of the July 2021 law (up to 15 in limited cases).
No partial replacements	Except in an emergency or during a water main project, the utility can't swap only its half and leave lead on your side.
No shutoff for refusing access	Your water can't be shut off just because you declined the replacement on your side.

Who pays for the homeowner's side?

This is the question most people ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on who supplies your water:

Investor-owned utilities (like New Jersey American Water) recover the cost through customer rates rather than billing the individual homeowner at the time of the work.
Government-owned systems may spread the cost across all customers or assess the individual property, so a homeowner can be responsible for their portion.

Linden specifics: New Jersey American Water began identifying and replacing lines in Linden in October 2024. It says that if any part of your service line is lead or galvanized, it will schedule the replacement, including the portion entering your basement or crawlspace, at no direct cost to you, and that it pays the replacement, permit fees and restoration. You must sign a consent agreement because the crew needs access inside your home to connect the new line. The company also lists Roselle and Roselle Park among towns in its program. In other towns, call the water system named on your bill.

How to check your own pipe in 2 minutes

Find where the water line comes through the wall or floor, usually in the basement near the meter.
Scratch a spot on the pipe (before the meter) with a key or coin.
Read the result:
- Lead: dull gray, soft, scratches to shiny silver, a magnet won't stick.
- Galvanized steel: gray, a magnet sticks, the scratch stays gray. NJ treats this as lead.
- Copper: penny-colored where scratched, a magnet won't stick.
- Plastic: white, black or blue, often with printed markings.
Take a photo and use your utility's self-report form or address map. New Jersey American Water has one on its lead program page.

Got a notice? Here's what to do

Don't panic. A lead line doesn't mean you can't use your water. Run cold water for a bit after it sits for hours, use only cold water for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and consider a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead.
Answer the utility. Sign and return the consent agreement if you want the free (or utility-coordinated) replacement on your side.
Planning your own replacement? NJDEP says to contact your water system first so the public side gets replaced at the same time. Doing your side alone can leave lead on theirs.

When you'd call a plumber yourself

Most homeowners in utility programs don't need to hire anyone for the service line itself. You might call a licensed NJ Master Plumber if you want the line identified before the utility gets to your street, if your system charges for the private side and you want a competing quote, or if you find lead or galvanized pipe inside the house (interior plumbing isn't covered by the service line law). Any repiping needs a permit from your local construction office.

Frequently asked questions

Is galvanized pipe really treated as lead?

Yes. Galvanized lines can collect lead from upstream lead pipe over the years, so NJ counts them as lead service lines.

Can I say no?

Yes, for the part you own, but you must renew the refusal every year while the program runs, and your water can't be shut off for refusing.

What happens to my lawn or sidewalk?

In Linden, New Jersey American Water says any test hole gets a temporary surface patch, with permanent restoration scheduled about 90 days later.

What's the deadline?

All lead and galvanized service lines must be replaced within 10 years of the July 2021 law, so by 2031, with up to 15 years allowed in limited cases.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm cost and scheduling details with your water system.

Found lead or galvanized pipe inside your house in Linden or nearby? Call (347) 548-8487 and we'll connect you with an independent local provider for a quote. Pipe repair and repiping details.

Linden Plumbing Connect is a free referral and matching service. We are not a plumbing contractor and do not perform plumbing work. When you call or submit a request, we connect you with an independent local plumbing provider. Always confirm the provider's NJ Master Plumber license number, insurance, and written estimate before work begins.